Australia sweat before sinking brave Proteas
Graeme Smith's heroic batting performance was not quite enough
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Wednesday, 07, Jan 2009 11:28
Australia bowled out South Africa with just ten balls to spare on the final day of the third Test to seal a consolation victory in the series that means they keep their number one world ranking.
The hosts won by 103 runs, but had looked on course to draw the match as the Test entered its final two allotted overs with the tourists still holding onto their final wicket, with injured captain Graeme Smith bravely batting on despite a broken hand.
However, when Smith was bowled by an inswinging peach from Mitchell Johnson after surviving 17 previous deliveries, the Australians could celebrate a deserved win.
Earlier, the efforts of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers looked to have set the tourists on course to rescue a draw - despite being forced to bat out the best part of four sessions on a wearing pitch.
Resuming on 62-1, with Morne Morkel already out from the fourth day, the home team got the best possible start as opener Neil McKenzie was caught by Mike Hussey off the bowling of Doug Bollinger with the score on 68.
Jacques Kallis fared only slightly better as he made just four before Andrew McDonald produced a brilliant diving catch off his own bowling.
The fightback then began, however, as Amla made a creditable 59 from 112 balls while De Villiers survived 144 deliveries for 56 runs to make the Australians sweat - despite being assured of avoiding a defeat that would see the Proteas move to the top of the rankings.
JP Duminy (16 runs off 92 balls), Mark Boucher (four off 25), Paul Harris (six off 43) and Dale Steyn (28 off 65) all played watchful innings as the tourists edged towards the finish line.
When Steyn was dismissed the Aussies thought they had won the game, before Smith made a dramatic and heroic entrance in an effort to save the Test.
His brave effort looked to have paid off as he struggled to an awkward three, opposite the excellent efforts of bowler Makhaya Ntini who made 28 not out from 75 balls.
But the captain was eventually undone by Johnson's brilliance as Australia reduced the series deficit to 2-1 to maintain a slim rankings lead over Smith's men.