South Africa receives ICC ODI Championship Shield

Johannesburg, Mar 1 (UNI) South Africa got the perfect send-off to the Cricket World Cup when it was awarded the ICC ODI Championship Shield, following the side's outstanding performance over the past 12 months which saw them topple Australia from the top position.

Commenting on his side's achievement, an ecstatic South African captain Greame Smith said, ''This is a great honour for the side. It came as a deserving reward for all the hard work the team has put in the last 18 months.'' However, he was quick to point out his side's present goal and said, ''Heading the log at this stage will not change our focus on the job at our hand over the next two months in the Caribbean.'' ''This is an outstanding achievement by the Proteas under the leadership of Graeme Smith. Now our eyes are on the ICC Cricket World Cup, and the players are confident that their teamwork will stand them with a good chance in the tournament,'' Chief Executive Officer of Cricket South Africa Gerald Majola said.

The shield was presented to Smith yesterday by a representative of the Championship's sponsor, LG Electronics, an ICC release stated.

It is for the first time ever a side has overtaken Australia in the LG ICC ODI Championship table since its inception in October 2002.

UNI