Smith heroics in vain, Aussies notch consolation win

Skipper Graeme Smith came out to bat with a broken finger but could not save the match for South Africa as Australia won by 103 runs in the third and final cricket Test in Sydney on Wednesday to prevent a series white-wash and retain the top spot in ICC rankings.

Chasing an improbable 376 for victory, the South Africans, who were 62 for one overnight, folded up for 272 just 10 balls before the scheduled close of play on the final day. However Proteas clinched the winner's trophy after triumphs in the first two matches in Perth and Melbourne. Smith won the man of the series award for his aggregate of 326 runs and "exceptional leadership" in the series.

After Australian skipper Ricky Ponting set up an exciting finale with his bold declaration on the fourth day, it was left to the South Africans to make a match of it but they collapsed to 171 for five by the 71st over leaving them with no choice but to fight for a draw. Hashim Amla (59) and A B de Villiers (56) were the top-scorers for the Proteas but it was Smith who stole the show by coming out to bat after the fall of the ninth wicket. Even with a broken right-hand finger, which has forced him to give the upcoming one-day series a miss, Smith decided to take the field after Dale Steyn's (28) dismissal in the 108th over. The left-hander entered the ground to a rousing reception, with the SCG standing up to applaud the visiting skipper for his gritty decision.

Smith batted in discomfort for his three runs but managed to hold on for nearly seven overs with Makhaya Ntini (23 not out) at the other end. The duo were just 10 balls away from saving the match for their team but Mitchell Johnson finally ended Australia's agonising wait for a consolation win by ripping through Smith's defences in the 114th over. But there was plenty of drama before the Aussies could actually celebrate the consolation win with Ntini riding his luck to frustrate the world champions. The Proteas pace spearhead was dropped twice after surviving a close run out attempt.

Earlier, Amla and de Villiers were the only South African batsmen to hold their own on a precarious SCG track. While Amla's 59-run knock came off 112 balls studded with nine fours, de Villiers took 144 deliveries to reach his 56 that had eight fours. Peter Sidlle returned the best figures among the Aussie batsmen, scalping three wickets for 54 runs in his 27 overs, 12 of which were maiden. Bollinger, Johnson and McDonald shared two wickets apiece, while Nathan Hauritz settled for one in his 28 overs.

SA 62/1, need 314 runs for whitewash

Ricky Ponting's bold declaration on Tuesday injected drama into the third and final cricket Test which seems headed for a nail-biting finish with South Africa needing 314 runs on a tricky fifty day track to complete a rare 3-0 whitewash.

Set a daunting target of 376 runs, South Africa lost makeshift opener Morne Morkel for a second ball duck before reaching 62 for one at stumps on day four of the match. Acting skipper Neil McKenzie (25) and in-form Hashim Amla (30) were in the middle with South Africa still needing another 314 runs for a memorable win that would also make them the number one Test side in the world. With just one day left, South Africa may go for the target despite their captain Graeme Smith not being in a position to bat. On the other hand, Australia will also fancy their chances of picking up the remaining wickets to prevent what could be their first whitewash at home.

Earlier, resuming on 33 for no loss, Australia declared their second essay at 257 for four wickets with Simon Katich (61), Ponting (53), Mike Hussey (45 not out) and Michael Clarke (41) scoring bulk of the runs. Matthew Hayden, under tremendous pressure to justify his selection in the playing XI, squandered a good start and fell for 39. Hayden dragged a Morkel delivery onto the stumps to depart after what turned out to be his highest score of the summer.

Dynamic Dilshan helps Sri Lanka win by 465 runs

Sri Lanka crushed Bangladesh by 465 runs in the second Test on Tuesday, recording the fifth highest run margin to sweep the series 2-0 thanks to a memorable performance by Tillekeratne Dilshan.

Dilshan, named Man of the Match and Man of the Series, emerged the unlikely bowling hero to rout Bangladesh for 158 after tea on the fourth day after helping his team set an improbable victory target of 624.

The 32-year-old followed his first innings 162 with 143 to become the fourth Sri Lankan to score a century in both innings of a Test as the visitors declared on 447 for six at lunch. Dilshan then grabbed four for 10 as Sri Lanka wrapped up their biggest victory in terms of runs, surpassing the 315-run margin against Zimbabwe at Galle in January 2002.It was also Bangladesh's heaviest defeat, having lost by 329 runs to England at the same venue in October 2003.

Top scorer Shakib Al Hasan (46) was stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene to give Dilshan his first wicket and the spinner went on to mop up the Bangladesh tail. The innings ended when Mushfiqur Rahim (43) was run out 20 minutes before the scheduled close. Leg-spinner Ajantha Mendis, who missed the 107-run first-Test win in Dhaka due to injury, picked up three for 57.

Earlier, Dilshan emulated compatriots Duleep Mendis, Asanka Gurusinha and Aravinda de Silva by hitting two centuries in the same Test. Resuming on 296 for four, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket of the day when Thilan Samaraweera fell for 77. His dismissal ended a 145-run stand for the fifth wicket but Chamara Kapugedera (59 not out) then put on 86 for the sixth wicket before Dilshan was bowled by left-arm spinner Enamel Haque jnr.

New Zealand v West Indies, 2nd Test, Napier, 1st day

A century from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and 74 from Brendan Nash sparked a West Indies fight back on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand before the hosts struck back with two quick wickets shortly before stumps. Having been reduced to 74 for four just prior to lunch the pair constructed a patient 163-run stand before Nash was dismissed when he drove a James Franklin delivery straight to Daniel Flynn. Denesh Ramdin was then clean bowled by Daniel Vettori in the penultimate over of the day to leave the West Indies on 258 for six at stumps at McLean Park in Napier.

The International Cricket Council's player of the year, Chanderpaul had taken 147 balls to bring up his half-century but cut loose late in the day to bring up the second 50 in just 67 balls as he reached the close 100 not out with Jerome Taylor on one. For New Zealand, Patel had a fine day with ball finishing with one for 41 off 25 overs that included 11 maidens, while Mills bowled tightly for his figures of none for 29 off 12. Of the other wicket takers, O'Brien ended the day with two for 59 off 18, Vettori two for 58 off 17 and Franklin one for 57 off 16 overs.

Australia v South Africa, 1st Test, Perth, 3rd day

Australia finished the 3rd day of the 1st test match against the South African at WACA with a 2nd innings score of 228 for 7. This puts them 322 runs up on the Proteas. However, at one stage it looked unlikely as Australia was struggling with 88 for 4. After an initial recovery work from Michael Clark & Andrew Symonds another quick succession of wickets reduced the Aussies to 162 for 7. At that time Haddin & Krejza step up and their unbeaten 66 run patnership put Australia in the current strong position.

Earlier, Mitchell Johnson narrowly missed recording the best bowling figures by an Australian in Test history, finishing with 8-61. Peter Siddle took the final wicket to fall as the Proteas were bowled out for 281, robbing Johnson of the chance to better the figures of Australian leg-spinner Arthur Mailey who took 9-121 in the fourth Test against England at the MCG in 1921. Johnson's eight-wicket haul was the best figures by a left-arm bowler in Test history. Johnson got his eighth wicket when Steyn could not keep his gloves out of the way of a short ball, but Siddle claimed the final wicket to fall, that of Mark Boucher, when he got caught slashing to point.

India v England, 2nd Test, Mohali, 1st day

As England's new-look attack failed to build on a promising start, Gautam Gambhir's fourth century guided India into a commanding position after the 1st days play in the final Test. The 27-year-old left-hander completed his century shortly before bad light ended play midway through the final session of the opening day. Gambhir played the lead role in an unbroken 173-run partnership with Rahul Dravid which guided India to a powerful 179 for 1 after India won the toss and decided to bat. Gambhir hit 11 fours and a six off Swann in his unbeaten innings of 106 runs while Rahul Dravid who claimed his first half-century in nine Test innings is unbeaten at 65.

Earlier in the day, England made a flying start after play began 20 minutes late for bad light with Stuart Broad marking his recall by dismissing dangerous opener Virender Sehwag with his sixth ball of the match. But despite an impressive new-ball spell from Broad, England struggled to build on that success as Gambhir and Dravid exploited a flat batting wicket and undermined the tourists' hopes of leveling the series.

1st Test: Australia v South Africa at Perth, Dec 17-21, 2008

A career-best bowling performance by Mitchell Johnson has put Australia in prime position in this fluctuating match. At the end of day two, South Africa were left struggling at 243 for 8, in reply for an Australian first innings total of 375. At the close of day-2 Australia are in a great position to dictate terms in this match. The two not out batsman for South Africa are Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn who will resume play from tomorrow. However, at one stage of the day South Africa was dominating the match with a score of 233 for 3 wickets. But due to Mitchell Johnson's wonderfull spell they were reduced to 241 for 8 with in matter of moments. For South Africa Jack Kallis and Ab devilliers both top scored with 63 runs each. For the Aussies Mitchell Johnson pick up 7 for 42 runs while Krejza pick up the solitary wicket.