Big win confirms South Africa as No. 1
South Africa embossed their No. 1 ranking with a fearful hiding of Australia in the series-deciding third Test in Perth
30/11Result
3rd Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Perth, Nov 30-Dec 3 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
225 & 569 -
![Australia]( "Australia")
163 & 322 (82.5 ov)
Player of the Match
30/11Result
3rd Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Perth, Nov 30-Dec 3 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
225 & 569 -
![Australia]( "Australia")
163 & 322 (82.5 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 4
Day 3
Amla and de Villiers set target of 632
Australia have been set the distant target of 632 to win the third Test and the series after South Africa were bowled out for 569 in a rollicking final session
Day 2
Smith, Amla help South Africa sprint away from Australia
Hurried along at a cracking pace by Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith, South Africa's lead over Australia is already a vast 292 runs at the end of day two in Perth
Day 1
Australia ahead after bowlers' day
A dramatically recast Australian team rued Faf du Plessis' composure for the second time in the space of four days as South Africa scrambled to 225 then snipped the top off Australia's batting order on day one of the third Test
Others
Captain calling: du Plessis turns to Graeme Smith
Stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis is seeking the assistance of South Africa's most successful Test captain ahead of the Test series
'All of us will miss Ricky' - Smith
Graeme Smith has declared Ricky Ponting the opponent he has most respected during his career, and said South Africa's forming a guard of honour for Ponting was never in doubt
At the end, Ponting returns to roots
Ricky Ponting has always been a tough cricketer. But his emotional side, for once, came to the surface when he spoke after his final Test for Australia
Ponting's high praise for Smith's men
South Africa overcame significant trouble in the first two Tests and produced a compelling performance in the third
'I'll miss the mateship, I'll miss the dressing room'
Ricky Ponting reflects on his 17-year career after playing his final Test, against South Africa in Perth
When Ponting and Clarke averaged the same
Plays of the day from the fourth day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Perth
An emotional end to Ponting's storied career
There were a couple of glimpses of the vintage Ponting in his final innings, but he will be content to have made the right call to retire
Amla performs in one-day gear
Hashim Amla has scored several different centuries this year. His latest at the WACA was compiled in one-day mode
The AB de Villiers of old returns
Is it a coincidence that AB de Villiers played his most compelling innings since becoming South Africa's wicketkeeper in the Test that he had to keep the least?
Lillee not a fan of resting bowlers
Australia's bowling stocks lack a definite spearhead, according to Dennis Lillee, a go-to fast bowler that can move up a gear to break open the game
'This is where it started, and will finish'
The Perth Test against South Africa will be Ricky Ponting's last. Below is a transcript of the press conference during which Ponting announced his decision to retire
De Villiers reverse sweeps to century
Plays of the day from the third day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Perth
The post-Ponting puzzle
To fill the hole of Ricky Ponting, who retires after this Test, the structure of Australia's batting order may be reconsidered
South Africa 'go hard' for Perth glory
Australia will have to be prepared to chase anything on a pitch where South Africa look increasingly at home
No fairytale for Ponting's finale
There was something fitting about Ricky Ponting's dismissal in Perth; like 17 years ago, a Pakistani umpire silenced the crowd with an lbw decision
Cricket's finest bloke?
Quiet, unassuming, polite and humble, Hashim Amla remains a terrific role model
South Africa's unsung performer
Morne Morkel was not South Africa's most successful bowler on the second day in Perth, but he provided exactly what his team needed
Caught Petersen, bowled Peterson
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the second day of the deciding Test in Perth
'Humbled' Smith targets South Africa legacy
Graeme Smith said it 'meant the world' for South Africa to win their second successive series in Australia and hold on to the No. 1 ranking
South Africa rightly the best side - Clarke
Australia captain Michael Clarke pointed to South Africa's ability to make their positions of advantage count as being the difference between the two sides
Hastings wins battle, grabs chance
When John Hastings stepped out on to the WACA two months ago to the day, it was nearly as big a moment as his trip to Perth this week
Johnson accentuates the positives
Mitchell Johnson's first day of Test cricket in a year was neither brilliant nor disastrous. But importantly, it was encouraging
Punter's final team-mate
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the opening day of the deciding Test in Perth
Ponting's low, Starc's high
Stats highlights from South Africa's emphatic victory in Perth
South Africa hope fast bowlers will fire
When this series began, there were questions hanging over South Africa's bowling attack. Few, however, were concerned about their ability to take 20 wickets
Australia's second-best, without a doubt
Think not of Ricky Ponting as the batsman of the last couple of years - and particularly the past fortnight. Remember that for almost a decade Ponting was the best batsman in the world's best team
End of a great career, start of a new era
Regardless of what happens in the Perth Test, it will be a watershed for Michael Clarke. He knows nothing of Test cricket that doesn't involve Ricky Ponting. His challenge now is to define a new era alone
Kallis strives to play in Ponting farewell
The Perth Test will be the last of Ricky Ponting's career, and South Africa's veteran Jacques Kallis is battling to be fit for it
Among weights machines and leaky pipes
The WACA gym setting for Ricky Ponting's retirement announcement was far from pretty but somehow fitting
Australia's No.1 hopes could rest on new-look attack
Australia could enter their grand final against South Africa - and Ricky Ponting's farewell Test - with a completely different attack from the one used in Adelaide
Ponting to retire after Perth Test
Ricky Ponting has announced his retirement from international cricket, on the eve of the third Test against South Africa in Perth
'I just want to give you some advice about batting at the WACA'
A four hour plane flight, 2600km travelled, three days off. The journey from the Adelaide Oval to the WACA could not provide a starker contrast for the players
Robin Peterson set for Test return
Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson is set for a return to Test cricket, four years since he last played for South Africa in whites
Clarke without answers on the worst of days
Michael Clarke had no answers as South Africa raced ahead in the Perth Test, virtually shutting out Australia's hopes of becoming the No. 1 Test side
Survival of the fittest in the west
ESPNcricinfo's preview of the 3rd Test between Australia and South Africa in Perth