Harris bowls Australia to South Africa series win

Thursday, 6 March 2014 00:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Australia’s Ryan Harris took the last two wickets as South Africa came within five overs of saving the third test on a dramatic day in which a third umpire decision came close to deciding the outcome of the match.

South Africa were bowled out for 265 as Australia won the series-deciding third test by 245 runs at Newlands on Wednesday, leaving their captain Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket with a defeat. Not even a controversial third umpire decision could derail Australia’s victory charge, though they left it late in the day to force the win with Harris (four for 32) the hero. The victory gave Australia the series 2-1 and came in the wake of their 5-0 thrashing of England in the home Ashes series played earlier this year.