Australia win despite Smith's gutsy return

For the second consecutive year Australia have pulled off a last-minute victory in the Sydney Test, this time despite a courageous and painful batting effort from the injured Graeme Smith

Hail Biff the brave

Surely after his heroics on the last day in Sydney, Graeme Smith must own the hearts of all South Africa?

Hayden dropped from one-day squads

Matthew Hayden is clinging to his international career after being told he is not in Australia's limited-overs plans

Ponting backs out-of-form Hayden

Matthew Hayden's immediate future will be known when Australia's limited-overs teams are named on Thursday for the South Africa fixtures

'We haven't been that bad' - Ponting

South Africa will have to wait until the return series next month to try to steal the official No. 1 Test ranking from Australia, but captain Graeme Smith is boosted in the knowledge his side can beat any one in the world.

Doubt but out

Cricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fifth day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Sydney

Opener Warner blasts in to national scene

Ponting tempts South Africa to chase another miracle

Ricky Ponting is not known for his generosity to opposition teams but his sporting declaration has set up a fascinating final day at the SCG, where South Africa need 314 more runs with nine wickets in hand

Dead-rubber syndrome hits SA

South Africa have done some fabulous impersonations of previous Australianteams while winning this series, but over the past four days they havealso copied the dead-rubber syndrome that afflicted sides led by SteveWaugh and Mark Taylor

'Momentum the key' - Hussey

Australia will try to finish off their New Year plan to grab back some momentum from South Africa by ending a disappointing series with a victory ahead of the return series in February. The hosts are 2-0 behind in the three-game contest and held a team me

'No signs of Hayden retiring'

Michael Hussey has seen no signs from Matthew Hayden that he is about to retire and would be stunned if the opener was not part of next month's tour to South Africa. Hayden scored 39 in the second innings to continue his horrible run at home this season a

Exit Hayden?

Cricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fourth day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Sydney

Siddle's five gives Australia the edge

Peter Siddle's first five-wicket haul in Tests halted a familiar third-day fightback from South Africa, who with the exception of Mark Boucher and Morne Morkel, finally showed signs of tiring at the end of a whirlwind series

South Africa crack on difficult pitch

Cracks have been forming all over the place during this series. For twoTests the brittleness was Australia's, but in Sydney the fault lines havebeen shaking South Africa

'The game's not finished yet' - Boucher

Mark Boucher has stirred memories of one of Australia's most famous collapses in the hope they will offer a repeat performance to keep South Africa in the third Test

Contrasting fortunes for the newbies

Cricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG

South Africa steady after Clarke ton

If the first day at the SCG was déjà vu then the second was déjà vu all over again. Michael Clarke's tenth Test century and some vigorous tail-wagging put Australia on top before their bowlers landed a couple of late blows - one to the scorecard and one t

Smith out for six weeks after fracturing left hand

South Africa's chances of claiming a 3-0 victory over Australia may have fractured with Graeme Smith's left hand. Smith became the first victim of a cracking pitch when a Mitchell Johnson delivery surprised the captain, cutting back and striking the knuck

Rousing reception for debutant Doug

Cricinfo presents the plays of the day from day two of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG

A newbie in a happy daze, and SCG in the pink

Cricinfo rewinds the Plays of the day from the opening day of the SCG Test between Australia and South Africa

New year but same old problems

A new year comes with the same problems despite all the resolutions and promises of change

South Africa aim for first-innings advantage

South Africa finished a strong first day with six Australian wickets but already their thoughts are turning to producing a significant total to limit the difficulties in the fourth innings

South Africa on top despite Clarke's fight

There was more than a hint of déjà vu at the SCG, where Australia's top order spluttered against a probing South Africa before looking to Michael Clarke for a rescue mission on a slow-moving first day

Details of Clarke-Katich scuffle upset Gillespie

Jason Gillespie is disappointed news of Michael Clarke's heated exchange with Simon Katich leaked from the dressing room

The bravest man in world cricket

South Africa own the bravest man in world cricket, but having Graeme Smith was not enough to secure the most dramatic of draws

Australia cling to No. 1 Test spot after Sydney win

Australia's 103-run victory against South Africa in the third and final match of the series in Sydney has ensured they stay top of the ICC Test rankings. However, the gap at the top has been reduced to just five rating points as South Africa clinched the

Australia v South Africa, 3rd Test, Sydney

Cricinfo's match home for the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Sydney

Jaques prepares to return from back injury

Phil Jaques is preparing for a state comeback by the end of January after a lay-off due to back surgery, and he hopes to win a spot for Australia's upcoming tour of South Africa

Katich and Clarke admit to dressing-room disagreement

Michael Clarke and Simon Katich have confirmed that they were involved in a dressing-room altercation after the Sydney Test against South Africa