Steyn declares South Africa as best; England as phoney No.1 Test side

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has declared that he plays for the best team in the world, no matter what the official rankings say, and described England as a phoney No. 1 Test team.

Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, who have guided England to historic heights, now face a crisis of credibility.

Steyn said: "I think we're the No 1 Test team in the world. We have all our bases covered, and I don't worry about England. Now we need it on paper."

Dale Steyn. Photo: AFP

England lost to the Proteas by an innings and 12 runs and the manner of the defeat makes it arguably their heaviest in history, The Sun reports

Following England's 3-0 defeat against Pakistan and 1-1 draw with Sri Lanka during the winter, this was another crushing humiliation on a slow, low pitch.

Since securing the top spot with a 4-0 whitewash of India last summer, England has looked hesitant, short of confidence and lacked the clinical efficiency that marked their climb to the top.

The batting has regularly failed to function on the surface prepared at The Oval.