South Africa complete series win

South Africa duly completed a stunning series win over Australia by winning the second Test in Melbourne on Tuesday by nine wickets. It is the first time they have ever won a series against the Aussies and perhaps more importantly, is the first time in 15 years that Australia have lost a Test series on home soil.

Should Graeme Smith's side go on to win the third and final Test, which begins in Sydney on Jan 3, then not only will they complete an astounding whitewash, they will also replace Australia as the world's No 1 side.

The world order is changing. In both Tests, Australia got themselves into strong positions but then let them slip, something they are famed for not doing. South Africa performed brilliantly in difficult positions but the Aussies' lack of variety with the ball cost them dear.

Looking further down the line, they must really be concerned about the Ashes, which take place in England in July, for on this form, they could lose that too, to add to series defeats by South Africa and India.

On the other hand, what this will do for South Africa's confidence is anyone's guess. They are likely to go from strength to strength and will already be relishing the prospect of repeating the series win over the Aussies when the two sides meet in South Africa in the new year.

More immediately, though, there is one Test still to play in this series and Australia are friendless in the market at 6/4, a huge price, in historical terms, on home soil. South Africa are just 9/4 to complete the whitewash and the draw is 13/8 in Sydney.

With no Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds or Shane Watson, Australia's attack will be almost unrecognisable, so South Africa have another golden chance of victory, and that one, if it happens, will really hurt, for Australia have never suffered a whitewash on home turf.