Cricket: Ponting tells Smith to walk the walk

MELBOURNE - Australian captain Ricky Ponting made 117 of the hosts' 239 for eight on the first day of the second cricket test against South Africa yesterday before challenging rival skipper Graeme Smith to back up his taunts by performing on the field.

Smith's tourists claimed the honours on an opening day which started 30 minutes late due to a damp pitch and finished with Australia losing seven for 85 after sitting in the dominant position of 154 for one before tea.

Fiery quick Andre Nel led the visitors' charge, grabbing four for 58 including the wickets of Ponting, Andrew Symonds (0) and Adam Gilchrist (2) in 11 balls late in the day.

Ponting had earlier put on 152 for the second wicket with opener Matthew Hayden, but the 3-1/2 hour stand was one of the few highlights for the shocked MCG crowd of 71,910.

Smith suggested Ponting lacked Steve Waugh's assertive nature as a captain following last week's drawn first test and in the lead up to the Boxing Day clash said Shane Warne was a frustrated leader who tried to "take over" from his skipper when the team was struggling.

Ponting said he hadn't read Smith's comments in the newspapers but offered some blunt advice.

"I don't know how he would know that. He didn't bat long enough in Perth (34 and 30) to know that," said Ponting in response to Smith's comments that Warne put him under pressure by constantly offering advice.

"Warnie and I speak a lot out on the field, mostly when he is bowling.

"He's probably just running off some of the Ashes stuff that we all know about," added Ponting, who was criticised for doing too much consulting before making decisions in England where Australia lost 1-2.

"Maybe I can have a bit of a read about it tonight and save a few up for him tomorrow when he has a bat."

Ponting admitted there had been some "needle" during the test series between the two sides but it was all in fun and stayed on the field.

He said he wasn't one for making bold statements in the press.

"That doesn't count for anything. You've got to make your actions count out on the field," Ponting said.

"He's obviously had something to say today and he'll get his chance to bat tomorrow and hopefully he can back it up.

"What we do in our team is our business and how we run our show is up to us.

"He's got to look after his side and let's hope he does it well."

Warne, who made nine, clashed verbally with Smith while batting, prompting the umpires to intervene, although no reports were laid.

"It might have been Warnie (discussing) some of the stuff that Smithy has been talking about in the paper," Ponting said.

"I haven't spoken to Shane about it. I don't know what happened out there at all."

Ponting's 117 brought his 2005 tally to 1533 in 15 tests, the third-highest in test history behind Sunil Gavaskar (1555 in 1979) and West Indies great Viv Richards (1710 in 1976).

Nel was the villain earlier in the day when he dropped a straightforward chance at mid-wicket when Ponting was on 17.

He finally dismissed Ponting at 207 for four after the skipper had added a further 100 runs.

The South African quick surprised Ponting with some extra bounce to have him caught at point after stroking 13 boundaries in five hours at the crease.

Mike Hussey was 23 not out at stumps with only Stuart MacGill and Glenn McGrath to come.

Brett Lee was out for four in the final over, lbw to Makhaya Ntini (one for 34).

Shaun Pollock (three for 46) claimed the first three wickets of the day, dismissing test debutant Phil Jaques (two) in the third over before snaring Hayden and Brad Hodge (seven).

Ponting said he knew it would be a tough wicket to bat on today but said with two spinners in the lineup, Australia were keen to bowl last on what he expected to be a turning deck.

"Yeah I'm not sure how modest the position is. It's not a bad day for us I think," Ponting said.

"The wicket was pretty difficult and the outfield is not lightning fast so that total is probably worth a few more anyway."

- AAP