Second Test Match
Melbourne - Day Two
Australia 394 (R T Ponting 101, M J Clarke 88 no, S M Katich 54, D W Steyn 5-87) v South Africa 198-7 (G C Smith 62)

South Africa struggled with the bat on day two of the second Test, slipping to 198-7 in reply to Australia's first-innings total of 394.

New boys Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz picked up five wickets between them as the hosts put themselves firmly in control in Melbourne.

By the close of play the Proteas were still trailing by 196, despite a defiant half-century from skipper Graeme Smith at the top of the order.

Australia will hope to ram home their advantage this time having allowed their opponents to recover from a similar position to win the series opener in Perth.

Tail wags

Resuming on 280-6, Michael Clarke made the most of some steady support from the tail to add 114 runs for the final four wickets.

The vice-captain ended up unbeaten on 88, a controlled innings that saw him face 204 balls during five-and-a-half hours at the crease. He hit four fours and one six.

Brett Lee contributed a run-a-ball 21 in a seventh-wicket stand of 44 but Mitchell Johnson failed to trouble the scorers, an inside edge back onto his stumps seeing him depart for a third-ball duck.

However, Clarke found two more able allies in Hauritz (12) and Siddle, who made 19 from 49 deliveries before going on to star with the ball.

Dale Steyn claimed three of the four wickets to fall, giving the paceman final figures of 5-94 - the only real positive on a dismal day for the tourists.

Their reply got off to a disastrous start when opener Neil McKenzie was bowled by the impressive Siddle, given the new ball ahead of Johnson, in just the second over.

Impressive spell

It was the seamer's second spell that was most impressive, though, as he beat AB de Villiers for pace and then followed that up by getting Smith caught behind for 62, the left-hander playing a loose drive at a wide ball.

Hauritz, selected in place of the expensive Jason Krejza, chipped in with the sizeable scalp of Kallis before tea, the all-rounder paying the price for a risky sweep that looped up in the air for wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to catch.

Mark Boucher became the spinner's second wicket when he swept straight to Mike Hussey at square leg, leaving South Africa six down with just 141 on the scoreboard.

Any fears of being forced to follow-on were eased with a 43-run partnership for the eighth wicket that was ended late on when Johnson bowled Albie Morkel (21) with his first ball of a new spell.

JP Duminy was undefeated on 34 at the finish and will hope that the visitors' lower order can offer him the support that Clarke benefit from in the morning session.

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