Martyn century helps Australia to series sweep

Scorecard

Damien Martyn completed his century to help Australia to a tense two-wicket triumph over South Africa in the third Test on Tuesday to complete an historic 3-0 clean sweep.

Martyn top scored with 101 as Australia, who needed 292 to win, reached 294-8 on the fifth morning of the final Test, with man of the match Brett Lee hitting the winning runs.

It was Australia's first Test series whitewash in South Africa.

Martyn, 34, with his Test future in question, batted for 286 minutes, faced 208 balls and hit 13 fours in his 13th century before he was dismissed with Australia 34 runs short of their target.

Martyn and Lee had begun the fifth day with Australia 44 runs away from victory on 248 for six - but effectively seven down due to the head injury that kept Justin Langer in the dressing room.

Martyn, who needed seven for his century, reached it in the third over with a cut through third man for four.

Shaun Pollock, with the new ball, found the edge of Martyn's bat twice in the space of the next four deliveries only for the ball to fall short of the slip cordon.

Then, five balls after Martyn reached his century, Pollock struck with an inswinger that hit the Australian's back pad as he retreated defensively and he was given out leg before.

Stuart Clark came in, scored 10 quick runs but was then out when he attempted to pull a delivery from Ntini and skied a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher to leave the tourists on 275 for eight.

With Langer seemingly preparing to ignore medical advice and pad up if necessary, he was spared the decision when Lee and Michael Kasprowicz, who was seven not out, steered Australia to victory with an unbroken stand of 19 runs off 17 balls.

Lee, who was 24 not out, cut Pollock through point for four to win the match.

South Africa were hampered by the absence from their attack of fast bowler Andre Nel, who was not allowed to bowl because an upset stomach kept him off the field for most of the fourth day's play.

Australia won the first Test by seven wickets in Cape Town, and the second Test by 112 runs in Durban.