Aussies pull off dramatic victory

Ryan Harris picked up the last two wickets for Australia. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA has claimed a dramatic 2-1 series victory over South Africa after the third Test at Newlands descended into acrimony.

South Africa were dismissed with just 4.3 overs remaining when Ryan Harris bowled Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the space of three deliveries to give Australia a 245-run victory, sending the Australians into wild celebrations.

Earlier tailender Dale Steyn had to be restrained by drink-carrying substitute Robin Petersen during a slanging match with the Australians after batting partner Vernon Philander survived thanks to a controversial DRS review that overturned his dismissal with 15 overs remaining.

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The Fox Sports cricket panel discuss suggestions that Australia's players attempted to alter the ball in the third Test by deliberately throwing it short in the field.

The Australians were furious and surrounded umpire Aleem Dar, who originally gave Philander out only to reverse his decision on the advice of video umpire Richard Illingworth.

Steyn and Michael Clarke had a series of increasingly animated exchanges but the pair appeared to make up a short time later when they gave each other a pat as they passed at the end of an over.

Philander, who played a wonderful rear guard innings of 51 not out in 105 balls, was on 45 when he fended at a nasty bouncer from Mitchell Johnson which lobbed to Alex Doolan at short leg.

Australia have been made to work for their wickets but came up trumps before lunch, dispatching of Kyle Abbott and AB de Villiers.

The umpire decision review system was brought in to improve decision-making and reduce controversy but it fanned the flames of frustration yesterday.

Philander reeled away to square leg holding his shoulder and then called for a review. While real time snicko suggested the ball flicked Philander's right glove before crashing into his shoulder, the video umpire appeared to rule that the batsman's hand was off the bat.

It was the same scenario that Michael Kasprowicz faced during the dramatic Edgbaston Test of 2005, which England won by two runs to level the series at two-all. Kasprowicz did not have the benefit of a video review.

It was not the only controversy on a tense final day, with umpires Dar and Kumar Dharmasena warning the Australians about the way they were throwing the ball into rough areas around the pitch to scruff it up in the hope of generating reverse swing.

Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were thorns in Australia's side. Source: Getty Images

Shortly before lunch the umpires called Clarke over and the three had an animated, arm-waving conversation.

Dar was holding the ball in one hand and appeared to be gesturing to it, however the ball was not changed and the umpires did not penalise Australia five runs, which they must do under the playing conditions if they believe the ball has been deliberately tampered with.

The victory gave captain Michael Clarke seven wins from eight Tests following a 5-0 whitewash of England and moved Australia to second on the International Cricket Council rankings ahead of India.

South Africa remains on top despite losing another series at home to Australia.

James Pattinson gets this one just a little bit wrong striking the hand of Vernon Philander with a dangerous full toss

After Philander's decision was overturned there were concerns that South Africa may repeat their Adelaide great escape of last season when they lasted more than nine hours and kept out 148 overs to finish on 8-248.

Faf du Plessis was unable to repeat his Adelaide heroics, when he defied Australia for seven and a half hours scoring an unbeaten century. Yesterday he was leg before wicket to part time leg-spinner Steve Smith for 47 made in two and a half hours.

Australia's unique record of never losing a series in the new South Africa remains intact.

It is a remarkable achievement which now extends to seven series in a row since South Africa returned from sporting isolation more than two decades ago.

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