Test cricket's top 10 dead rubber victories

#5 Australia beat South Africa by 103 runs - Sydney, 2009

The Sydney Cricket Ground makes the list again and as does Australia, but this time, they were on the winning side of a dead rubber. The Aussies had lost a home series for the first time in two decades as South Africa pounced on the opportunity to defeat a side in transition. They even chased down a mammoth target of 414 successfully earlier in the series at Perth.

A dented Australian side wanted new beginnings and they found one in 2009. Despite Michael Clarke's 138 in the first innings, it was fast bowler Peter Siddle who was the star of the show. His 8-wicket haul won him the Man of the Match award.

However, this match is remembered more so for South African skipper Graeme Smith walking out to bat at No.11 in the second innings despite having a broken left hand. This spirited effort was one of cricket's iconic moments, which won the hearts of fans all over the world.

It also proved to be Australian opener Matthew Hayden's last Test match, who also decided to call it a day at the same ground where two years earlier, his teammates Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath had done the same.