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Lee guides Australia to narrow win

Australian tailender Brett Lee held his nerve Tuesday to guide his team to a two-wicket win over South Africa on the final day in the third test for a 3-0 sweep of the series.

Lee remained unbeaten on 24 as Australia closed on 294-8 in its second innings. Had Lee been dismissed, the Australians would have been in trouble with batsman Justin Langer unable to bat effectively after taking a blow to the head from fast bowler Makhaya Ntini in the first innings.
"I was nervous coming out to bat for the final session, scared even, because Makhaya was outstanding and the guys were bowling really fast," Lee said.

Needing 44 to win after resuming on 248-6, Australia faced the new ball.

Shaun Pollock struck, trapping Damien Martyn lbw for 101.

"Martyn's century on that wicket cannot be underestimated," Australian captain Ricky Ponting said. "Our bowling was fantastic in the series, but the batting was also important on some difficult wickets."

After Martyn's departure, a nervous-looking Stuart Clark tried to prod his way to the target and, frustrated, attempted a full-blooded pull too many against Ntini and was caught by Mark Boucher for 10.

With just 17 runs needed, Langer was willing to defy doctor's orders and padded up in case Michael Kasprowicz or Lee fell.

South Africa captain Jacques Kallis - standing in for Graeme Smith, who missed the match with an injured finger - said the players were disappointed by their loss, but pleased with the fight.

"We knew we had to strike early, and we managed that," Kallis said. "But Australia played as aggressively as they have all series, and in the end they deserved to win."

Ntini finished with a total of 10-178 - the third time he has taken 10 wickets in a match. But Lee's match figures of 6-114 and his innings of 64 and 24 not out made him man of the match.

Clark's series haul of 20 wickets at 15.84 won him the man-of-the-series award.

Australia leaves South Africa for a two-test and three-match one-day series in Bangladesh. South Africa next hosts New Zealand in a three-match test series.