South Africa in Australia, 2012

Following a draining draw in the second test, Australia took a new pace attack to Perth but Siddle was quick to defend the team's tactics saying it was important to ensure the players don't suffer an injury.

Following a draining draw in the second test, Australia took a new pace attack to Perth but Siddle was quick to defend the team's tactics saying it was important to ensure the players don't suffer an injury.

'Punter', as Ricky Ponting was popularly known as, called it a day on one of the most glorious and celebrated careers in Test cricket history. A great competitor, an astute captain and a phenomenal batsman, Ponting epitomized the 'Never Say Die Attitude'. Shubhartho Ghosh, an avid follower of Australian cricket, takes us through an emotional journey of the legendary batsman.

Ricky Ponting, who called it quits, on a glorious international career at the WACA on Monday, told sources that while he regarded the Indian Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, as the greatest batsman he had played against, it was the flamboyant West Indian, Brian Charles Lara, who gave him nightmares, for his ability to single-handedly turn a match on its head and take his team to victory.

South Africa maintained their supremacy as the No. 1 ranked team in Test cricket when they annihilated Australia by a whopping margin of 309 runs to clinch the 3-match series 1-0 on Day 4 of the third and final Test at the WACA in Perth. Ricky Ponting was dismissed for 8 in his final international appearance.

Ricky Ponting's Test career came to close with an anticlimactic innings of eight runs to leave Australia, chasing an improbable 632 for victory, struggling at 110 for three at lunch.

Although his skills as a wicketkeeper have never been in doubt, the lack of so much as a half century since he adopted the role had some asking whether the extra duties were taking their toll on his batting.

Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers massacred and routed the Australian bowling attack and set a mammoth 632 chase for the Proteas. Australia managed to survive a hostile opening spell from Steyn and co. and went into Stumps on Day 3 at 40/0.

Philander said the conditions and the batting disappointment on Friday had helped transform the fortunes of the bowling unit.

Dale Steyn produced a fiery spell and ripped the heart out of the Australian first innings with a devastating display of fast bowling to leave the hosts reeling while Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith hit superb knocks to put South Africa on top.