Graeme Smith: 'South Africa want to be top'

Graeme Smith has said that his South Africa side are aiming to replace England at the top of the Test world rankings as a reward for their form since 2006.

South Africa beat England on their last visit in 2008 and have not lost a series away in six years. Smith believes that becoming the top ranked Test side would be a reward for their consistency.

"We hope getting to number one can be a reward for our consistency," Sky Sports News quotes Smith as saying.

"We've been top two and top three for a long time now and very close to the pinnacle. Having had a success here in 2008, we are hoping to build on that and taste that again.

"However, England are a quality team and throughout all the years of touring here, it is always difficult to beat England."

The first Test in the three-match series begins at The Oval on Thursday July 19.