Australia remain world's best after avoiding whitewash

Beaten but not bowed: Smith, the South Africa captain, played with an injured hand and although he could not save the final Test, he had already led his side to a series win

Australia salvaged a consolation win against South Africa after dismissing the tourists for 272 with only ten balls remaining on the fifth day to clinch a 103-run victory in the third Test at the SCG.

South Africa entered the final day needing a further 314 runs to pull off an improbable win, and a series clean sweep, having progressed to 62 for one at stumps on day four. But any hope of an unlikely victory disappeared when the tourists lost Neil McKenzie, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla in the opening session.

Australia removed JP Duminy, Mark Boucher and AB de Villiers in the middle session to take control of proceedings to leave South Africa on 193 for seven at tea. Paul Harris went lbw to Peter Siddle in the sixth over after the resumption to leave the South Africans 202 for eight but Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini held out for over 17 overs, adding another 50 runs before Steyn was removed lbw by Andrew McDonald.

Graeme Smith had not played since retiring hurt with a broken finger and troublesome left elbow in the South African first innings but the skipper returned to courageously bat out the remaining overs with Ntini. But with only ten balls to spare, he was bowled by Mitchell Johnson for three.

Siddle was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking three wickets for 54, while McDonald returned figures of two for 32.

South Africa had already clinched the three-match series after winning the first two Tests in Perth and Melbourne but Australia's victory meant that they retained their position at the top of the ICC's official Test rankings.