AUS v SA, 3rd Test, Sydney: Australia claim consolation win (AUS 1:2)
Jan 07, 2009
Australia salvaged a consolation win against South Africa after dismissing the tourists for 272 with only 10 balls remaining on the fifth day to clinch a 103-run victory in the third Test at the SCG.
South Africa entered the final day needing a further 314 runs to pull off an improbable win - and a series clean sweep - having progressed to 62 for one at stumps on day four.
But any hope of an unlikely victory disappeared when the tourists lost Neil McKenzie (27), Jacques Kallis (four) and Hashim Amla (59) in the opening session. The Australians secured their victory when Graeme Smith, who bravely returned to bat at number 11 with a broken finger, was bowled by Mitchell Johnson with 10 balls remaining.
The hosts had removed JP Duminy (16), Mark Boucher (four) and AB de Villiers (56) in the middle session to take control of proceedings to leave the Proteas on 193 for seven at tea.
Paul Harris (six) went lbw to Peter Siddle in the sixth over after the resumption to leave the South Africans 202 for eight but Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini held out for over 17 overs, adding another 50 runs before Steyn was removed lbw by Andrew McDonald for 28.
Proteas skipper Smith had not played since retiring hurt with a broken finger and troublesome left elbow in the South African first innings but the skipper returned to courageously bat out the remaining overs with Ntini until he was bowled by Johnson for three.
Siddle was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking three wickets for 54, while McDonald returned figures of two for 32.
South Africa had already clinched the three-match series after winning the first two Tests in Perth and Melbourne but Australia's victory meant that they retained their position at the top of the ICC's official Test rankings.
AUS v SA, 3rd Test, Sydney: Australia 445 & 257-4d beat South Africa 327-9 & 272 by 103 runs
Umpires: B F Bowden, E A R de Silva Australia: Hayden, Katich, Ponting (C), M Hussey, Clarke, Haddin (W), McDonald, Hauritz, Johnson, Siddle, Bollinger South Africa: Smith (C), McKenzie, Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Duminy, Boucher (W), M Morkel, Steyn, Harris, Ntini
