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Andre Nel takes 4-11 in 25 balls and returns 4-58

South African Andre Nel's stature changed rapidly yesterday when he took four late wickets to make amends for dropping Australian century-maker Ricky Ponting on day one of the second test.

After building to 207 for three just after tea, the Australians slumped to 239-8 at stumps at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Nel removed Ponting (117), Andrew Symonds (0) and Adam Gilchrist (2) in 11 balls as Australia slipped to 213-6 after winning the toss and electing to bat on a moist MCG wicket. Nel also dismissed Shane Warne (9) as Australia slumped further to 227-7 and Makhaya Ntini trapped Brett Lee (4) lbw in the last over.

Mike Hussey was unbeaten on 23 at the close.

Nel took 4-11 in 25 balls and returned 4-58, while Shaun Pollock snared the first three wickets for a haul of 3-46.

Pollock removed debutante Phil Jaques (2) in the third over, bringing Ponting to the crease.

The Australian captain had some early luck, getting off the mark with an edge through a vacant third slip area and a massive reprieve on 17 when Nel dropped a routine chance at mid-wicket off Jacques Kallis' bowling.

Then Ponting dominated a 152-run second-wicket stand with Matthew Hayden (65) and posted his 26th test century, joining West Indies great Sir Garfield Sobers at No. 7 on the list of all-time test century scorers.

"It was a bit costly," said Nel. "I was disappointed and thought I let the side down ... I wanted to hang myself at lunch time.

"But I think the best way to respond is to keep bowling your heart out. We came back well -- that's the important thing."

Ponting punished the fielding error, improving his Australian record for most runs in a calendar year to 1,533 with his 198-ball knock.

That's second on the all-time list behind former West Indies captain Viv Richards' mark of 1,710 in 1976 for runs scored in test matches starting within a calendar year.

"It was a special innings for me -- I was proud the way I played," said Ponting. ``I had a bit of luck early on, obviously. I probably should have been caught at third slip on zero -- but there wasn't one there.

"I was dropped on a pretty easy chance not long after. But the conditions were difficult and I hung in."

Ponting said Australia's total was respectable, despite the late slump, considering the uneven pace of the wicket.

"The wicket was difficult and the outfield wasn't lightning fast, so that total is probably worth more anyway," he said. "If we can get a few more runs and then bowl well early [Tuesday], that total might look really good."

Pollock combined twice with skipper Graeme Smith around the tea break to keep South Africa in the match.

He had Hayden out gliding an edge to slip and Brad Hodge (7) -- who posted his maiden double hundred in the drawn first test last week -- brilliantly caught by Smith, low and at his left ankle.

Ponting turned a Nel ball down to fine leg to reach his century from 172 balls, raising both arms to the 71,910 crowd.

His removal, caught by at gully by Herschelle Gibbs in the 75th over, exposed Australia's struggling middle-order. Nel had allrounder Symonds (0) caught behind next ball and Gilchrist two overs later.

After the start was delayed by 30 minutes because umpires decided heavy overnight watering made the pitch too damp, each side unveiled two changes.

Kallis (0-59), who missed the first test with an injured left elbow, replaced injured allrounder Justin Kemp and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje (0-37) came in for swing bowler Charl Langeveldt.

Jaques replaced injured opener Justin Langer and legspinner Stuart MacGill recalled in favor of seamer Nathan Bracken for the hosts.

South Africa batted for the last four sessions to salvage a draw in Perth and, after the late comeback yesterday, is growing in confidence.
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