South Africa crush Australia

South Africa thrashed Australia by 309 runs in the third Test on Monday to hold on to their number one Test ranking and ruin an emotional farewell for veteran batsman Ricky Ponting.

Set a mammoth target of 632 runs to win, Australia lost their first wicket on the second ball of the fourth day and they never were eventually dismissed for 322 as the Proteas sealed the three-Test series 1-0.

Graeme Smith's South Africans became the first team in two decades to defeat Australia on home soil in consecutive tours, with the West Indies the previous team to achieve it in 1992-93.

And they achieved it with sporting good grace after forming a highly unusual honour guard for the Ponting, 37, Test cricket's second highest run-scorer, as he emerged for his final innings.

"I was a little bit embarrassed and wish it didn't happen that way, but it was an amazing gesture by Graeme and the South African team," Ponting said.

In their 200th Test since being allowed back into international cricket, South Africa were only denied their biggest ever victory in a match decided in the fourth innings by a defiant 87-run last-wicket stand.

Number 10 Mitchell Starc smashed an unbeaten 68 off 43 balls to share in the highest-ever last wicket partnership at Perth's WACA Ground with Nathan Lyon 31 off 43 balls. South Africa's win also continued their remarkable away record, with the Proteas not beaten in an away series since losing 2-0 in Sri Lanka in 2006. They have lost none of their three Tests at the WACA, with two wins and a draw. The Australians went into the match as the form side in the two prior drawn Tests, and they were determined to send Ponting off on a high note with a win which would have made them the top-ranked side in Test cricket.

AFP