We’ll find out plenty about Shane Watson if he takes over as captain of Australia in the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka, Australia coach Mickey Arthur says.

The home side was on Monday night bracing itself for bad news after Michael Clarke was taken to hospital for scans on a hamstring injury the skipper suffered earlier in the day while scoring a brisk 57 in Australia’s second innings.

The absence of Clarke – the leading run-scorer in Test cricket in 2012 – would be a hammer blow to Australia’s hopes of winning the three-match series against Sri Lanka who will be confident of success in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests on pitches assisting star spinner Rangana Herath.

Herath claimed 5-95 in Australia’s second innings of 278.

Sri Lanka will resume on Tuesday’s final day of play on 2-65, requiring a further 328 runs to win.

Sri Lanka’s two all-time leading run-scorers Kumar Sangakkara (18) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (five) are at the crease.

Clarke managed to lead his side onto the field after the tea break on Monday and Arthur hinted the skipper would do the same on Tuesday.

“He will get all the treatment he needs,” Arthur told a news conference on Monday night.

“He will get that after hours tonight and he will get that tomorrow between breaks.

“You would have to cut Michael’s leg off for him not to be out there. He certainly wants to marshal the troops and he wants to be there if hopefully sometime we can clinch a win.

“We don’t know exactly the extent of the injury just yet.”

Australia will rely heavily on vice-captain and allrounder Watson on Tuesday with the ball and Arthur says the 31-year-old could face the biggest moment of his career on December 26.

“It (Watson as captain) is a distinct possibility,” Arthur said.

“It would be a really good challenge for Shane. We’ll learn a lot about Shane and his leadership ability.

“I’m confident he will come through it very well. If it does materialise, it will be a really good opportunity for him.”

On a troubling day for Arthur, one of the challenges for his side is taking another eight wickets with a bowler short, after paceman Ben Hilfenhaus was ruled out of bowling again in the match and taking part in the Melbourne Test with a side strain.

However the presence of pace-bowling allrounder Watson, who missed the Adelaide Test with a calf injury when Australia narrowly failed to bowl out South Africa last month after quick James Pattinson broke down during the match with a side strain, is giving Australia extra hope of victory.

“The wicket is playing a little bit more deceptively now. I feel we are in a better shape in terms of our attack simply because we have ‘Watto’,” Arthur said.

“We only had two quicks and (spinner) Nathan Lyon in Adelaide, so the similarities I guess are there but full confidence that we have the attack that has an ability to get eight wickets.”

Mitchell Johnson and uncapped duo Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jackson Bird are among the candidates for the Melbourne Test squad following the withdrawal of Hilfenhaus.

Arthur named Brad Haddin, Usman Khawaja, Rob Quiney and Alex Doolan as possible contenders to replace Clarke.

Play is scheduled to start at 10.10am AEDT on Tuesday.

Sri Lankan superstar Kumar Sangakkara says the possibility he could be on his last trip to Australia is a massive motivator for tasting a Test match victory.

The 35-year-old international cricketer of the year joins fellow old guard members Mahela Jayawardene (35), Tillakaratne Dilshan (36) and Thilan Samaraweera (36) on the Lankans’ so far elusive quest to win a five-day game in Australia in 11 attempts.

They will get the first of three chances this summer at Bellerive from Friday.

“When you do get older, you do look for achievements where you haven’t really tasted victory so, here and in India, (there are) Test matches still to win,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“That’s a great motivator for guys like Dilshan, Mahela, myself and Samaraweera.

“We’re the older brigade. But whether we get it or not, the key is to really contribute to the side.”

Sangakkara, who averaged 60 in Tests in the period leading up to his ICC award, wouldn’t be drawn on whether this would be his last trip down under.

“I’m not sure when the next tour is,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to give you a direct answer.

“But I’m 35 now – hopefully a few more years left in me.

“It just depends on me and how I perform. Everyone’s got an expiry date. It’s no use worrying about when that comes or when that is.

“It’s about really enjoying your cricket.”

In the last Test played between the two nations in Australia in 2007, the hosts won by 96 runs at Bellerive.

John Hastings faces the prospect of becoming a one-Test wonder, with Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus set for a selection showdown for the series opener against Sri Lanka next week.

Peter Siddle and Hilfenhaus are both fit to return for the first Test starting on December 14.

However, Australian coach Mickey Arthur suggested Hilfenhaus isn’t assured of a recall on his home deck in Hobart, saying he needs to continue working on his bowling action.

Selectors face a welcome selection headache over the attack, after Johnson and Starc performed well with the ball against South Africa in Perth, albeit in a resounding loss.

Attack leader Siddle is a certainty for Hobart, but Johnson, Starc and Hilfenhaus are all vying for two positions.

Johnson bowled with authority in his first Test in more than 12 months, while Starc overcame an expensive start to bag a career-first six-wicket haul, as well as smashing 68 not out with the bat.

“I thought Starc and Johnson were very good in this game,” Arthur said of the left-arm duo.

“Obviously, Peter Siddle comes back in the mix.

“We’ve got to really discuss our attack as an attack and not in terms of individual bowlers.

“We’ve got to look at what the best attack is for us to get 20 wickets and we need to sit down again and make those decisions.”

Captain Michael Clarke insists Siddle and Hilfenhaus were not fit to be selected in Perth so soon after completing a heavy workload in Adelaide.

Australia struggled with a brand new attack to what had been seen in the first two Tests, with debutant Hastings (0-102) in particular lagging in the second innings.

Arthur said Hilfenhaus was working with bowling coach Ali de Winter to iron out technical flaws in his action.

Michael Clarke says he’s prepared to move up the batting order if it will help Australia rebuild for the Ashes.

Clarke was handed his first series loss as captain after South Africa romped to a resounding victory in the third Test.

Retiring great Ricky Ponting says South Africa’s 309-run series-clinching win on day four in Perth was as ruthless a performance as he’s seen in his 168-game career, which came to an abrupt and emotional end on Monday.

The way the Proteas brushed aside Australia’s challenge to their No.1 Test ranking and took the game out of their opponents’ reach, exposed some inherent weaknesses in Clarke’s side which need urgent attention ahead of next year’s Ashes.

At the top of the list is how selectors will restructure the batting order with Ponting vacating No.4 and Shane Watson not looking comfortable at first drop.

Man-of-the-series for his two double centuries, Clarke is the world’s premier batsman coming in at No.5.

But there are calls for him to elevate himself up the order.

“I’ll bat wherever Mickey and I think is best for the team,” said Clarke, after Australia were bowled out for 322.

“Honestly the number I bat makes no difference to me, if it’s best for the team for me to bat 3, I’ll bat 3.

“If it’s best for the team for me to stay at 5, or bat 4, I’m not bothered.

“(We’ll look at what) player is getting selected first (for Ponting) and then work out what we think is best for the team in regards to batting order.

“It’s not just me but the whole top six.”

Clarke must also look at how to get his best bowling attack on the park, after the Australians floundered on day two.

Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc (six wickets) showed promising signs, but by the time the wickets came in the second innings, man-of-the-match Hashim Amla (196) and AB de Villiers (169) had ensured 569 was on the board and it was all too late.

Clarke defended selecting an entirely new attack for Perth, insisting Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were never fit enough to play after Adelaide.

“I’ve tried to make it clear, if Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were fit they would have played this Test match,” he said.

Ponting’s last journey to the crease was shortlived but memorable after a guard of honour was formed for him by the South African players.

He was out for eight in the over before lunch, from the spin bowling of Robin Petersen (3-127).

Ponting said South Africa, who now have two straight series wins over Australia on Australian soil and haven’t lost a series away from home in six years, had proven they’re the real deal.

Despite posting just 225 for their first innings, South Africa came out breathing fire on day two of the third Test to roll Australia for 163 and set a world record chase of 632.

“The cricket they played day two with bat and ball … was them trying to impose themselves on the series and they did it better than I’ve ever seen any team take a game away from an opposition team before,” Ponting said.

“I had a bit more of a fairytale ending in my own eyes than what’s happened this week. But looking back it’s been a special week as well.”

Graeme Smith said the series turnaround marked a significant moment in South African cricket.

“Day two for me has got to go down as one of the highlights of South African cricket,” he said.

“The way we bowled and the way we batted in that evening session to take the game away from Australia, and then to follow that up on day three (was crucial).”

Ricky Ponting has been dismissed for eight in his final innings, bringing down the curtain on his decorated Test career.

South African players formed a guard of honour to welcome Ponting to the middle for the last innings of his 168-Test career, and to a man came to congratulate him when he departed.

Ponting arrived at the crease with Australia 2-81 chasing a world record target of 632 to win the third Test and the series and assume the No.1 ranking in Perth.

He had settled in nicely at the crease, but edged Robin Petersen (1-28) to Jacques Kallis at slip in the final over before lunch.

Australia were 3-110 at lunch on day four, and trail by a mammoth 522 runs with seven wickets in hand.

Even though victory seems a bridge too far for Australia, the major disappointment of the morning was for Ponting.

Michael Clarke is eight not out and opener Ed Cowan unbeaten on 37.

After resuming at 0-40, disaster struck for Australia on the second ball of the day when Vernon Philander (1-24) had David Warner (29) pushing forward and edging to Graeme Smith at first slip.

Possessing the ability to score at a blistering pace, Australia really needed Warner to post a big score if they were to build a two-day batting campaign to win the match.

Shane Watson (25) stuck around for a 41-run stand with Cowan, but was also caught at slip by Smith, this time off the bowling of Morne Morkel (1-25).

This brought Ponting to the middle at 11:47am local time, with the modest crowd at the WACA on their feet for an extended ovation.

The Proteas players formed a tunnel leading to the pitch and applauded the game’s second-highest run scorer.

Ponting shook the hand of South African captain Smith, received a pat on the rump from Cowan and then went to his position at the non-striker’s end for the start of the next over.

The 37-year-old opened his account with a pull shot for four, a trademark of Ponting’s in days gone by.

But silence descended on the WACA when Ponting departed at 12.27pm.

It was somewhat fitting that Ponting’s career came to a close at the hands of a fellow superstar from the same era, Kallis.

Dale Steyn (0-30) is yet to take a wicket in the second innings.

South Africa were all out for 569 in their second innings and went more than 200 runs past the highest mark for a successful fourth innings chase – 418 by the West Indies against Australia in 2003.

Kurtley Beale has scored a sensational long-range try in the dying seconds to give the Wallabies a 14-12 win at Millennium Stadium to send captain Nathan Sharpe out a winner in his final Test.

In the 80th minute, replacement centre Mike Harris rocketed onto a Berrick Barnes pass before finding reserve lock Dave Dennis who went tearing down the right touchline before popping a ball inside to Beale who scored in the corner to cap move that started just inside their own half.

Sharpe attempted the conversion but it fell short.

The skipper said it was a great effort by his men to lift at the end but said it had nothing to do with his retirement.

“It wasn’t for me. It’s what we’ve spoken about all year. Momentum goes either way in games and if you stick in there you don’t know what’s going to happen,”

“I thought that performance was consistent with the character the team has shown this year.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland was understandably disappointed with the result.

“We’re pretty gutted. I thought we played some outstanding rugby,” he said.

“We are a good side but we just need to be a bit smarter at the death.”

Beale’s try was the only five-pointer of the Test with Welsh points coming from four penalty goals to fullback and man of the match Leigh Halfpenny while Beale kicked three penalties.

Australia looked set to be kept scoreless in the second half for the second consecutive week before getting out of jail as Wales looked like breaking a six-game losing streak.

It was the Wallabies’ eighth straight win over Wales and they finished the European tour with a respectable 3-1 record.

It was a ninth victory in 15 Tests of a marathon season for the Wallabies who are third in the IRB rankings behind South Africa and leaders New Zealand.

The Australians were lucky to go into the halftime break leading 9-6 with Wales playing all the rugby as they shifted the ball wide and punched holes in the Wallabies’ midfield.

Beale slotted three penalty goals from five attempts in the first half with Halfpenny kicking two for Wales but missed an easy attempt right on halftime.

The Wallabies suffered a blow when aggressive flanker Scott Higginbotham was injured making a tackle in the 15th minute and was replaced by Dennis.

Australia squandered several opportunities in the opening term with cheap turnover ball while some poor kicks in general play invited the dangerous Wales back three of Halfpenny and wingers Alex Cuthbert and Liam Williams into the game.

Wycliff Palu produced a try-saving effort midway through the half when backtracked to force a ball in the in-goal as Wales looked set to score.

Halfpenny sliced through the Australian midfield before chip kicking Barnes but the Wales fullback lost his footing and Palu won the race to save the day.

Australian coach Mickey Arthur says selectors are unanimous in not wanting Ricky Ponting phased out before next year’s Ashes but warns there’s mounting pressure on him from beneath.

Arthur couldn’t deny that the third Test against South Africa in Perth could be pivotal in the future of Australia’s highest-ever run scorer, with Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and even Rob Quiney still in the picture.

Ponting has had three successive failures to start the series against South Africa, and in the second Test in Adelaide was bowled twice in a match for only the second time in his career.

The Tasmanian turns 38 next month but unfortunately that same number is the former captain’s Test batting average for the past three years.

Arthur said Ponting’s position was dependent on runs but he made it clear the selectors were keen to avoid losing his experience and presence before Australia head to England.

“All I know is inside that dressing room and privately we’ve all backed Ricky Ponting. At the moment (he) has the unanimous backing of the selection panel,” said Arthur.

“If he’s scoring runs we certainly want Ricky Ponting around for the next six months.

“We want Ricky Ponting to go to the Ashes, there’s no doubt about that.

“Like any batsman though you’ve got to keep scoring runs … and Perth is a big Test for him, and that’s by Ricky’s own admission.

“I’m 100 per cent sure though and confident Ricky will come through in Perth.”

Ponting has already thrown himself at the mercy of selectors, conceding a frank chat with the panel probably isn’t far away.

But Arthur said there was yet to be any discussion about Ponting’s future.

“No, none whatsoever,” he said.

Clarke said Ponting’s strong Shield form prior to the Test series hadn’t been forgotten and his brilliant record for Australia meant he deserved to have faith shown in him.

“Once he gets in I have no doubt at all he’ll go on and make a big score,” said the skipper.

“He knows how to make big hundreds. He’s still as good a player under pressure as anyone in that changeroom.”

In the first Test against Sri Lanka next month in Hobart, Ponting would be in line to break Waugh’s all-time record and become the second most capped Test cricketer of all time behind Sachin Tendulkar, in front of his home-State fans.

It would be a massive call to drop him before then.

But further failures against South Africa’s highly-touted quicks in Perth would raise serious questions about whether he is too far in decline to see out the summer.

A young player like Hughes, Khawaja or Quiney looking for a second chance at Test level, could benefit from making their return against the weaker attack of Sri Lanka.

Hughes, who hasn’t played for Australia since being dropped after the New Zealand Test in Hobart last year, is the highest run-scorer in Shield cricket this season and averages 51.8.

“We’ve got some young players there that have a taste now of international cricket and when called up or when needed are ready to step into the breach,” said Arthur.

Australia’s cricketers say South Africa will play straight into their hands by batting for a draw, as the Proteas desperately fight to save the second Test and their No.1 ranking.

Just six wickets are required by Australia on the final day, with South Africa 4-77 and still needing a mammoth 353 runs.

With AB de Villiers (12no) and Faf du Plessis (19no) at the crease and just injured Jacques Kallis to come in terms of recognised batsmen, the under-siege Proteas admit a draw is their highest hope.

If Australia win the series they will likely steal the No.1 Test ranking from their opponents and the first step to setting up that possibility for the third Test in Perth is closing out in this match.

However, Victorian fast bowler Peter Siddle (1-23), who turned 28 on Sunday, believes South Africa’s defensive mindset will ultimately work to Australia’s advantage.

“That plays in your favour as well. Being defensive, obviously it leaves you open to get those nicks and play to the fielders,” said Siddle.

“Tomorrow morning we’ve got to be as fresh as we can be, especially Hilfy (Ben Hilfenhaus, 1-23) and myself and hopefully get a bit of reverse swing going.

“We know we’ve got the second new ball there as well and Nath’s (spinner Nathan Lyon) is going to play a big role up that other end.

“If we can build the pressure and keep working them over like that the six wickets will come around.”

South Africa were set 430 to win when Australia declared at 8-267 in their second dig midway through Sunday’s second session.

Australia’s front-line bowlers have laid the platform for an important victory, but realise there’s still more work required – especially with James Pattinson out of the match and the rest of the series with a side injury.

When Hilfenhaus had Graeme Smith (nought) caught at slip in the first over of the Proteas’ second innings and Hashim Amla (17) fell the same way to the impressive Lyon, the world’s best were officially on the ropes.

Lyon now has 50 Test wickets to his name and he’s the youngest Australian offspinner to achieve that mark.

Siddle said the bowlers are doing their job well, but praised Australian batsmen – Michael Clarke (230), Mike Hussey (103, 54) and David Warner (119) – for setting the game up.

“It goes back to day one. To score so many runs in such a quick time, it just gave us so much time,” said Siddle.

South African assistant coach Russell Domingo agreed the first-day carnage, where Australia smashed nearly 500 runs, was decisive and said a draw was all his team were thinking about.

“We know that 350 on the last day with four wickets down is probably out the window,” he said.

“South Africans pride ourselves on our resilience.

“We know that we are under a little bit of pressure at the moment but there is every possibility that something special could happen tomorrow.”

Australia have taken a stranglehold on the second Check immediately after Peter Siddle came out firing on day three.

Nevertheless the excellent news was soured by an damage concern in excess of fast bowling ace James Pattinson, who left the Adelaide Oval with side pain and has been rushed for scans.

South Africa are 7-273 at lunch on Saturday, trailing Australia’s initial innings complete of 550 by 277 runs with three wickets in hand.

A fired-up Siddle (two-64) claimed the wicket of essential guy Graeme Smith (122) in dramatic circumstances and then had AB de Villiers (1) lbw in his next above as Australia took three-7 within 4 overs.

The wickets fell also speedily for the South African health care personnel, who did not have sufficient time to function on Jacques Kallis’ hamstring to send him out to bat at No.7.

Instead he arrived at the crease when the harm had been accomplished at 7-250.

Kallis clutched for his right hamstring as Siddle sent a barrage of quick balls at him ahead of lunch.

But the star allrounder soldiered on to be 11 not out, with debutant Faf du Plessis unbeaten on 26.

South Africa additional 56 to their overnight score of two-217.

Spinner Nathan Lyon (1-66) began the rot in the seventh more than on day three, when he had Jacques Rudolph caught at brief cover by Rob Quiney for 29.

In the following in excess of Siddle ripped in and located some movement in the Adelaide Oval wicket to have Smith caught behind having additional just 11 to his overnight score.

Smith was adamant he hadn’t hit the ball, and immediately requested a assessment.

On Friday Smith acquired a reprieve when hot-spot showed he hadn’t nicked a Pattinson (-41) delivery.

But on Saturday to Siddle, the slightest of marks showed up on Smith’s blade, and though he didn’t like it, he was back to the pavilion.

South Africa also challenged the lbw shout on de Villiers, but probably that was out of sheer desperation – as replays confirmed the ball was hitting middle and leg.

Ben Hilfenhaus (2-43) also chipped in to get Dale Steyn (1) pushing meekly to Ricky Ponting at second slip, before knocking Rory Kleinveldt’s () leg stump out of the ground.

Factors were going swimmingly for Australia, till drama struck in the 83rd more than when Pattinson was forced from the area after just the very first ball of his 2nd more than of the day.

Pattinson was instantly consulted on the boundary by Australian physio Alex Kountouris.

The 22-yr-outdated has been troubled by back, abdominal, foot and buttocks injuries in his fledgling Test job.

A Cricket Australia statement explained the severity of the side issue isn’t but recognized.

Australian captain Michael Clarke has won the toss and elected to bat in the 2nd cricket Test against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval.

Typical Adelaide circumstances are anticipated and the wicket ought to play into the hands of the batting side for at least the 1st two days.

South Africa suffered some drama on match eve, with quick bowler Vernon Philander ruled out of the Test.

Philander woke up feeling out of kinds and rookie Rory Kleinveldt has been named in as his substitute.

With the a few-match series locked at – immediately after the 1st Check draw in Brisbane, the Adelaide clash will be pivotal in figuring out whether or not Australia can give themselves a likelihood of knocking off the Proteas from No.1 spot in the planet rankings.

Australian opener David Warner will be under massive strain to carry out but has an ideal chance to display the explosive touch he’s recognized for.

His companion at the best of the innings Ed Cowan will be eager to comply with up his maiden Check century at the Gabba with yet another massive score in Adelaide.

All eyes will be on Victorian Rob Quiney if he will get an early possibility to face the music.

Quiney looked promising on debut in Brisbane but eventually made just nine and was out hooking.

Australia are once again without vice-captain Shane Watson who succumbed to a calf injury on Wednesday.

The Proteas assault will be eager to make amends for an underwhelming displaying in Brisbane but will miss one particular of their most destructive weapons in Philander.

The appropriate-arm fast has manufactured an outstanding start to his Test profession after first bursting onto the scene towards Australia in South Africa final 12 months.

Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kleinveldt playing just his 2nd Check, will very likely have to function tough for benefits in the very first innings.

South Africa have picked spinner Imran Tahir for the Check, while batting all-rounder Faf du Plessis will make his debut for the injured JP Duminy.

Teams

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Rob Quiney, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Matt Wade, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Faf du Plessis, Rory Kleinveldt, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel.