The recent Test series between Australia and South Africa confirmed the true spirit of the game is alive and kicking, according to Grandstand's Roger Wills.

I joined ABC Sport in 1971 after one of the best ever Ashes battles.

The 1970/71 series was won 2-0 by Ray Illingworth's English team, who held off the Aussies who were introducing future stars like Dennis Lillee and Greg Chappell.

Thirty-eight years later Test cricket is again being celebrated after a superb series won 2-1 by South Africa against Australia.

Graeme Smith's dramatic effort was a fitting finale to the series, as was Mitchell Johnson taking the final wicket for Australia's victory.

The quality of the play throughout the three Tests and the spirit of both teams was tremendous after the aggro of Australia's recent battles with India both home and away.

Australia's selectors have made some tough decisions ahead of the One-Day International and Twenty20 cricket competitions, dropping veteran opener Matthew Hayden from both squads.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch says youth was preferred in the lead up to this year's Twenty20 World Cup and the 2001 50-over tournament, with the big Queensland opener still to be considered for Test matches.

Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is set to be rested for the first two Twenty20 matches and one-day internationals, while Michael Clarke will be unavailable for the Twenty20 matches due to ligament damage in his thumb.

But there were other surprises with South Australian quick Shaun Tait making his return from a hamstring injury despite playing only one 20 over game for South Australia and Nathan Hauritz beating Jason Krejza for the off-spin duties.

You can hear Andrew Hilditch's thoughts on the limited over squads during this morning's press conference:

South Africa captain Graeme Smith told Grandstand his decision to bat with a broken finger in his side's 103-run defeat to Australia was a tribute to the efforts of his tailenders to try and hang on for a draw.

Smith, having not taken his place at the top of the order in the Proteas's second innings, surprisingly came in at number 11 following a stoic 55-run stand for the ninth wicket between Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn that almost prevented Australia from posting an exciting victory in the third and final Test at the SCG.

He entered the fray with 50 balls remaining in the day's play but was eventually dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for 3 in the penultimate over.

You can listen to Smith's full interview with Grandstand's Drew Morphett below:

Click here to download the interview.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting told Grandstand his side's 103-run victory over South Africa at the SCG is vital to rebuilding their confidence after a "rough" 12 months.

The hosts posted a 103-run win in the third and final Test, having dismissed the Proteas for 272 when Mitchell Johnson bowled their heroic captain Graeme Smith (3) with just 10 balls to spare on day five.

The victory in the dead rubber meant Australia salvaged some pride in what was its second series defeat in the space of less than two months.

You can listen to Ponting's full interview with Grandstand's Drew Morphett below:

Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle told Grandstand it is an "amazing feeling" to have played a pivotal role in his side's 103-run triumph over South Africa in the third and final Test at the SCG.

Siddle collected the man-of-the-match award courtesy of his eight wickets for the contest, his tally including a maiden five-wicket haul (5 for 59) in the Proteas's first innings.

The win was also Siddle's first in the five-day game, the 24-year-old quick having tasted defeat in his previous three Test appearances.

You can listen to Siddle's full interview with Grandstand's Drew Morphett below:

Click here to download the interview.