Aussies trounce Proteas

Australia clinched the series over South Africa to remain the No. 1-ranked test team in the world, beating the Proteas by 175 runs Tuesday to lead 2-0 with one match left to play.

Fast bowler Peter Siddle and part-time wristspinner Simon Katich took three wickets each as South Africa lost seven wickets for 126 on Tuesday to be dismissed for 370-9 just before tea at Kingsmead, with captain Graeme Smith unable to bat due a fractured left little finger.

Resuming on 244-2, South Africa needed Jacques Kallis and A.B. de Villiers to occupy the crease but both were out in the first hour of play.

Kallis was out in the sixth over for 93, edging a climbing delivery from Johnson slanted across him to captain Ricky Ponting at second slip to end a 187-run stand with De Villiers in 57 overs. Kallis had been dropped the previous over on 88, Michael Clarke uncharacteristically spilling a sitter at point off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus. The third test starts March 19 in Cape Town.

DURBAN, AP

AUSTRALIA 
1ST INNINGS: 352
SOUTH AFRICA 
IST INNINGS: 138
AUSTRALIA 
2ND INNINGS: 
331-5 DEC.
SOUTH AFRICA 
2ND INNINGS
(Overnight: 244-2)
     
Hashim Amla c Ponting b Siddle 		43
Neil McKenzie c Haddin b Siddle 	31
Jacques Kallis c Ponting b Johnson 	93
A.B. de Villiers c Haddin b Siddle 	84
J.P. Duminy c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 	17
Mark Boucher c & b North 		25  
Paul Harris c Siddle b Katich 		 5
Morne Morkel c Haddin b Katich 		24
Dale Steyn st Haddin b Katich 		 7
Makhaya Ntini not out			 4

Extras: (9b, 15lb, 3w, 10nb)		 37.
TOTAL: (for nine wickets) 		370
 Overs: 132.2.

Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-80, 3-267, 4-279, 5-299, 6-307, 7-345, 8-363, 9-370.
Bowling: Mitchell Johnson 33-9-78-1 (1nb), Ben Hilfenhaus 24-4-79-1 (5nb, 3w), Peter Siddle 28-12-61-3 (2nb),
 Andrew McDonald 16-3-47-0 (2nb), Marcus North 20-6-36-1, Simon Katich 11.2-1-45-3.