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.