Mercurial Ponting Leads Australia Home

Ricky Ponting hit another century to lead Australia to victory on the final day of the third Test against South Africa in Sydney. In the process, Australia’s skipper created history by becoming the only man to score centuries in each innings of his 100th Test.

Set a target of 287, after a generous declaration by South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, the hosts raced to victory in the 61st over, with Ponting leading the way on 143 not out.

Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden had put on 30 for the first wicket as Australia chased their victory target when Charl Langeveldt struck in the final over before lunch. Langer had made 20 when he was beaten by a ball from the paceman that nipped back and flattened his stumps.

Hayden was then joined by Ponting and the pair dominated the Proteas attack with a superb partnership of 182 off only 33 overs. Hayden looked on course for a century but skied spinner Johan Botha when he was on 90 with the score on 212. But Brad Hodge (27 not out) joined his skipper and the pair continued to accumulate the runs, with Ponting sealing the 2-0 series victory with a superb drive through the covers.

Earlier, Shaun Pollock smashed 26 runs from only 21 balls as South Africa declared on 194 for six. Resuming on 94 for three, the Proteas added 100 to their overnight total before captain Graeme Smith set Australia what is turning out to be a generous target.

Stuart MacGill took the three South Africa wickets to fall on the fifth morning. The leg-spinner first had Ashwell Prince caught by skipper Ricky Ponting for 18 and then saw Jacques Rudolph caught by Glenn McGrath when he had scored only four.

Mark Boucher was on 11 when he was stumped by Adam Gilchrist to give MacGill figures of three for 33. Jacques Kallis was unbeaten on 50 and Pollock not out 26 when Smith called a halt to proceedings, leaving Australia to score the highest fourth innings total to win at the SCG.