Australia redeemed some lost prestige by pulling off a thrilling victory over South Africa by 103 runs in the third and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground here Wednesday. Chasing a victory target of 376 runs South Africa was bowled out for 272 runs. However, the visitors who have won the first two Tests clinched the series 2-1. Peter Siddle who fashioned Australia's victory with 8 wickets in the match was adjudged as the Man of the Match. The Man of the Series went to a brave South Africa skipper Graeme Smith who even faced 17 balls with a broken hand before being bowled for 3 by Mitchell Johnson. Johnson picked up the final wicket of Smith with five minutes remaining to give Australia the consolation win . The last breakthrough came when Johnson nipped a ball back off a crack in the wearing pitch to bowl Smith, who had been incredibly gutsy in coming to the crease at No. 11 with a broken left hand and a right elbow so sore he said he could barely brush his teeth in the morning. Smith survived for 29 minutes with Makhaya Ntini as he aimed to salvage a draw but every fast ball he faced drew winces around the ground as he quickly released his left hand and gritted his teeth. When Smith strode to the crease to a standing ovation it was after a 75-minute partnership between Ntini and Dale Steyn that looked like creating a fitting coda for a series in which tails have wagged and Australia seemed to have forgotten how to win. But when it mattered Australia's new-look attack did manage to hold onto a No. 1 ranking that was a legacy of past champion sides. Scores: Australia 445 and 257-4 declared. South Africa 327 and 272 (Amla 59, de Villiers 56, Ntini 28 not out, Steyn 28, Siddle 3
