Cricket: Captain fantastic rides his luck but Proteas hit back

Captain Ricky Ponting's flawed century put Australia in command on the first day of the second test against South Africa yesterday.

Australia were 228-5 when bad light ended play two overs early after they chose to bat.

South Africa, who trail the three-match series 1-0 having lost the first test by seven wickets, pegged Australia back during the final session.

Ponting survived two chances early on in his 225-ball innings before reaching his 29th test century after batting for more than five hours. His 103 included 11 fours.

He shared stands of 97 with Justin Langer for the second wicket, and 101 with Damien Martyn, who scored 57.

Ponting took guard just nine balls into the match and without a run on the board when Matthew Hayden drove expansively at a wide delivery from fast bowler Makhaya Ntini and edged to AB de Villiers.

Ponting, who offered two chances in the first test in Cape Town, was on five when he received his first let-off.

After gloving a leg-side delivery from Ntini, the ball flew towards a diving Mark Boucher but the wicketkeeper failed to hold on.

Ponting was on 36 when he survived his second chance, an edge off fast bowler Andre Nel that bisected Boucher and Graeme Smith at first slip.

Langer and Ponting were finally separated in the 10th over after lunch when Langer, who scored 35, drove limply at a delivery from fast bowler Jacques Kallis and fell to a low, rolling catch by Boucher.

Ponting and Martyn's partnership endured until the sixth over before the close when Ponting drove a delivery from left-arm spinner Nicky Boje off the back foot and was caught by Herschelle Gibbs at short extra cover. Three overs later, Ntini had Martyn caught by Kallis at second slip.

Nightwatchman Brett Lee fell during Ntini's next over for a duck.

Ntini drew blood two balls later when he struck Andrew Symonds' helmet grille with a fierce bouncer.

Play was held up for several minutes while Symonds was treated for a bleeding nose and mouth. Michael Hussey was unbeaten on 10 with Symonds on four at the close.

* Ponting downplayed the century he scored in the second test against South Africa on Friday to join Don Bradman in the annals of Australian cricket.

Ponting notched his 29th test century to equal the feat of the legendary Bradman.

"I don't think too many people will be looking at that [me equalling Bradman]," Ponting said. "They'll probably be looking at the amount of games played to get those centuries and I think I'm almost double him."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY