Sydney, Nov 9 : South African skipper Graeme Smith has said that his Proteas team would look forward to creating a legacy as the world's no. 1 Test team, as they gear up to face Australia in the 3-Test series, starting today at the Gabba.
South Africa need to win or draw the series to retain the ICC Test mace, which they have held since August after defeating England on their home turf.
"We would love the opportunity to create a legacy. You have to take steps at a time, in international cricket today there have been a number of teams that have touched the No 1 ranking and certainly we would love to have that opportunity and we know that this is the next stepping stone for us and it is a big challenge," Sport24 quoted Smith, as saying.
"We are not getting too far ahead of ourselves, we believe we have the capabilities to create that but you have to earn it and take those steps towards the process. The next three to four weeks is that big challenge for us," he added.
According to the report, the consistency in selection, an impressive undefeated away record since 2006, and the presence of some of the world's best gives the Proteas squad the essential ingredients to dominate the Test cricket sphere.
South Africa's series win over England was also significant in the way that it shed light on an important aspect in the Proteas'' mental strength cabinet, with the players making crucial plays during key pressure situations, the report said.
"The Test side has proven that. When you play in other people's backyards and with the crowds, there is a different sort of pressure and you need to be able to handle certain things that come your way," Smith commented on the squad's mental strength.
"In recent memory in England we were able to show that we were able to perform under pressure and we were able to stand up in key times. I guess when good teams play each other there are those small margins and you need to be able to handle those margins better than the other team if you are going to be victorious," he added. (ANI)
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