Australia take series with second Test victory

(GETTY IMAGES)

Australia clinched the series over South Africa to remain the No 1 ranked Test team in the world, beating the Proteas by 175 runs 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 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.

De Villiers was beaten by a legcutter from Siddle and was caught on 84 by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, three overs after Kallis' departure to leave the hosts on 279-4. De Villiers had hit nine fours in four hours.

J.P. Duminy, who was given a life on 6 when Haddin failed to hold a low, diving chance off Siddle, was eventually out for 17 to a brute of a ball from Hilfenhaus. The left-hander could not get out of the way of a bouncer and it touched his glove on the way to Haddin.

In the final over before lunch, Paul Harris was out for 5 as the Proteas went to the break on 307-6, still 239 runs short of victory, although survival for a draw was their objective on the final day.

The South Africans were bowled out seven minutes before tea with three wickets falling for 63 runs in the final session.

Mark Boucher was caught and bowled by part-time spinner Marcus North after scoring 25 in 158 minutes. Morne Morkel was then caught on 24 by Haddin off Katich when the ball became stuck between the keeper's legs, and Dale Steyn was stumped for 7 in Katich's next over to end the match as Australia avenged the recent 2-1 series loss at home to the Proteas.

The third test starts 19 March in Cape Town.