Cricket: It's official - Australians are best

SYDNEY - Australia were the most successful team in world test cricket last year, winning all their eight matches.

South Africa and England were next best with six wins each, although both played more games than Australia. Zimbabwe and Bangladesh were the only countries not to win a test.

New Zealand were eighth out of 10 after winning two of nine tests.

Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq was the leading run scorer with 1090, followed by Zimbabwe's Andy Flower (1045), England's Michael Atherton (990), Pakistani Yousuf Youhana (839) and South African Jacques Kallis (780).

Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan was the leading wicket-taker with 75, ahead of the West Indies' Courtney Walsh (66), England's Darren Gough (48), South Africa's Shaun Pollock (42) and Australia's Glenn McGrath (39).

Flower recorded the highest individual score - an unbeaten 232 against India.