South Africa win third Test

"Six bottles of beer on the wall, let's make one of them fall," urged an Australian fielder at the start of play. One did, but only one, and that too after the outcome had been effectively decided as Jacques Kallis steered South Africa to a consolation five-wicket victory over Australia on the fourth day of the third Test.

If Kallis remained not out, it was all but certain South Africa would win, and that's exactly what happened as Kallis finished 61 not out. Needing a further 71 to win with six wickets in hand after resuming on 264/4, South Africa lost Ashwell Prince four runs from the end but it did not matter after he and Kallis had ensured South Africa would record their first Test win over Australia since 1997.

The victory improved the series scoreline to a respectable 2-1 margin and 5-1 overall. After being thrashed by the second-greatest margin ever in the first Test, South Africa regrouped to lose the second Test by four wickets before claiming the third. The Proteas triumphed despite conceding a 148-run first innings lead after sending Australia in to bat, bowling out the Aussies for 186 in the second innings before successfully chasing 335, the highest fourth innings target achieved in their history.

Herschelle Gibbs was named man of the match for his 104 in the second innings after scoring 51 in the first, but he might just as well have received the award for running out Ricky Ponting when Australia were in control on the first day. Adam Gilchrist was declared man of the series for his phenomenal return of 473 runs, in addition to 14 dismissals behind the stumps.

To win on the fourth morning, Australia required wickets from their pacemen with a second new ball only three overs old. Brett Lee was again preferred by Steve Waugh to partner McGrath ahead of Gillespie and he swung the ball at pace, beating Kallis three times in his first two overs. However, he also lacked control, conceding two wides in his first over, and did not bowl close enough to off stump to make Kallis play consistently.

As the most experienced of South Africa's remaining batsmen, Kallis was the key wicket, but Waugh set a surprisingly defensive field against him. He installed only two slips and a gully with a fielder protecting the cover boundary, even for McGrath, when he could have attacked South Africa's trump.

Kallis and Prince held firm, with the latter growing in confidence the longer he batted. Kallis left what he could against Lee and while McGrath was accurate, he did not particularly threaten the batsmen.

Warne replaced Lee but pitched too short and was cut by Prince. Failing to break through in the first hour, it became clear South Africa would win. Kallis drove Warne through cover to raise his fifty and the South African 300; by the time Mark Waugh was introduced at 310/4 it was too late.

With victory assured, Kallis gave Prince the strike in an attempt to get him to his first Test fifty but he fell short on 48, edging Warne to slip playing defensively. After entering when the match was in the balance at 232/4 on the third evening, Prince did his job nonetheless.

With scores tied, captain Mark Boucher swept Waugh for six, inflicting Australia's first Test loss since the fourth against England last year. It capped a commendable recovery after an Australian clean sweep had appeared certain, but did not disguise how thoroughly Australia have outplayed South Africa this season.

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