South Africa beat Australia by 309 runs, clinch Test series 1-0
South Africa won the third test by 309 runs Monday to clinch back-to-back series in Australia, retain the No. 1 ranking and end Ricky Ponting's career with a big defeat.
Robin Peterson dismissed Ponting (8) and skipper Michael Clarke (44) as South Africa finished off the Perth test with a day to spare after battling to salvage draws in the first two tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Australia, set an unlikely target of 632 to win, was out for 322 after a late cameo by No. 10 Mitch Starc, who ended unbeaten on 68 and shared an 87-run last wicket stand with Nathan Lyon (31).
After resuming at 40-0, Australia's day started in the worst possible way when David Warner (29) was removed by Vernon Philander on the second ball without addition to the overnight score.
Morne Morkel removed Shane Watson (25), also caught at slip by Graeme Smith, to bring Ponting to the crease at 11:47 a.m.
South African lined up in a guard of honor as Australia's all-time leading scorer made his way to the pitch, stopping momentarily to shake hands with Proteas captain Graeme Smith, with Australia at 81-2.
The 37-year-old Ponting got off the mark with a trademark pull to the boundary off Morkel and drove another boundary in his only other scoring shot of a 23-ball innings, but was caught by Jacques Kallis trying to cut Peterson at 12:27 p.m. – a few balls before lunch.
Every South African player ran to shake Ponting's hand as the ex-Australia skipper left the WACA arena, where
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