Captain Ricky Ponting scored his sixth test century this year and the 26th of his career in Australia’s 239 for eight on the first day of the second Test against South Africa on Monday.Ponting scored 117 and was looking to guide his side to a commanding total before South African pace bowler Andre Nel grabbed four late wickets, including two in a row, to wrest back the advantage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).Nel finished with four for 58 while Pollock finished with three for 46 off 20 overs. “I was disappointed and thought I let the side down early,” said Nel, who had dropped Ponting on 17. “It could have changed the game. I wanted to hang myself at lunch time.“But I think the best way to respond to the dropped catch is to keep bowling your heart out for your country. “I think we’ve got a chance. That dropped catch could have been vital . (the middle order) could have been exposed a lot earlier. But we’ll take 230-8,” he added.Earlier, opening batsman Matthew Hayden scored a quite 65 before he was caught behind off the bowling of Shaun Pollock. He and Hayden combined in a 152-run second-wicket partnership after debutant Phil Jaques was dismissed for two off Pollock’s second over of the morning.Hayden who scored his 23rd half-century was dismissed 10 minutes before tea when he edged Pollock to Graeme Smith at first slip.The pair were circumspect before lunch after they had initially been under pressure from South Africa’s bowlers, who made the most of the moist pitch, which had delayed the start of play by 30 minutes.Brad Hodge, who scored his maiden test double century in the first Test and making his first appearance at home, received a tumultuous welcome, with many of the sell-out crowd standing and applauding as he reached the wicket. However he was well caught by Smith at slip for seven shortly after tea to leave Australia 176 for three.Nel then atoned for his earlier bungle, forcing Ponting to spoon a catch to Hershelle Gibbs at point for 117. He then had Andrew Symonds caught by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off the next ball. Adam Gilchrist survived the hat-trick delivery but fell to Nel shortly after when he was caught by Gibbs for two.Brief scoresAustralia 239-8 (Hayden 65, Ponting 117, Pollock 3-46, Andre Nel 4-58) vs South Africa.A ton in difficult conditions• The 1,533 runs that Australian captain Ricky Ponting scored in the calendar year 2005 is the the most by an Australian.• He fell 177 runs short of Viv Richards (1,710) who holds the record set in 1976.• It was also Ponting’s sixth century this year and 26th of his career• Ponting now averages almost 70 this year.
