London, July 8 : Ahead of the four-match series against England beginning at Lord's from Thursday, South African batsman Jacques Kallis has said that the contest would decide which of the two teams had the ability to dislodge Australia as the best team in the world, as now the Aussies were considered vulnerable without Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer.

"It's an exciting time for England and South Africa and whoever comes out on top here can go on to become the best team in the world.. one of us can take Australia's crown away from them" said Jacques Kallis.

No side has toppled the Australians for a decade, but Kallis believes that could change in the next 12 months as they face the Proteas and then England.

"For sure it is an exciting time for England and South Africa and perhaps whoever comes out on top can go on to be the best team in the world. There has been a constant tussle beneath Australia for years now and sooner or later a team has to step out of the shadows and take their crown away from them. I hope it can be us. We are developing a really strong team that should be playing quality cricket for some time to come. If England want to reach the top then they'll have to beat us this summer," he said.

"With our bowling attack we've got the variations to take 20 wickets in most conditions now and I think that could play a big role. We'll be going to Australia at the end of the year with one of the better bowling attacks in world cricket. But our big focus is on getting past England first," The Mirror quoted him as saying.

He added: "We were 2-1 up going into the last Test and didn't win the series so you could say that is driving us on. We have made a few mistakes and had lapses in concentration. We've spoken about that and we're prepared this time but first we've got to get ourselves into a good position. I certainly want to be part of a South African team that wins in England. To start things off at Lord's is an extra bonus because we have played some really good cricket there."

ANI