Ricky Ponting hit 105 as Australia took control of the first Test at the end of day two in Melbourne.

Batting at number six, Ponting completed his second Test ton with 14 fours. He faced 199 balls and batted for 262 minutes as the Aussies clocked up 309 all out.

Ponting then produced a dazzling direct hit from the covers to run out South African danger man Darryl Cunninan for five.

The tourists limped to 95-4 at the close with Gary Kirsten holding the fort on 61 not out.

Ricky Ponting's delight as he scores a century at the MCG

The Aussies' total was built around Ponting and Steve Waugh, who edged Allan Donald to first slip when he had made 96.

It was the eighth time the Australian vice-captain had been dismissed with his score in the 90s in his 99-Test career.

Ponting's innings ended when he was bowled without playing a shot by Pat Symcox. The off-spinner went on to claim his best Test figures of 4-69.

South Africa struggled from the start. Opener Adam Bacher struggled for almost an hour to score three runs.

Paceman Glenn McGrath removed Jacques Kallis caught behind and Shane Warne claimed captain Hansie Cronje for a second-ball duck.

Australia first innings (overnight 206 for four)
M Elliott c Richardson b Klusener 6
M Taylor c Kirsten b McMillan 20
G Blewett st Richardson b Symcox 26
M Waugh c Richardson b Donald 0
S Waugh c Cullinan b Donald 96
R Ponting b Symcox 105
I Healy b Donald 16
P Reiffel b Symcox 27
S Warne c and b Pollock 1
M Kasprowicz c Bacher b Symcox 0
G McGrath not out 0
Extras (nb-5 lb-6 b-1) 12
Total (121.2 overs) 309

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-42, 3-44, 4-77, 5-222, 6-250, 7-302, 8-309, 9-309.

Bowling: Donald 29-6-74-3 (nb-2), Pollock 28-6-76-1 (nb-1), Klusener 19-3-48-1 (nb-2), McMillan 10-3-19-1, Symcox 27.2-4-69-4, Kallis 4-2-5-0, Cronje 4-2-11-0.

South Africa first innings
A Bacher c Healy b Kasprowicz 3
G Kirsten not out 61
J Kallis c Healy b McGrath 15
D Cullinan run out 5
H Cronje c Blewett b Warne 0
B McMillan not out 6
Extras (nb-4) 4

Total (for four wickets, 56 overs) 94

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-62, 3-75, 4-76.

To bat: S Pollock, L Klusener, D Richardson, P Symcox, A Donald.

Bowling: McGrath 12-6-13-1, Reiffel 6-2-20-0 (nb-2), Kasprowicz 10-3-21-1 (nb-1), Warne 22-7-37-1 (nb-1), M Waugh 6-4-3-0.
 

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