I can improve - Marsh

Opener Shaun Marsh was disappointed with himself for getting out at a crucial time

For a man who had just taken man-of-the-match honours in a game his side had won, Shaun Marsh was surprisingly downcast after the second ODI.

Marsh tightened his grip on an opener's berth in Hobart, hitting 78 in Australia's five-run win over South Africa as the hosts levelled the one-day series.

It was his fifth half-century from only 10 matches and justified the selectors' faith in him following indifferent recent form for Western Australia in domestic cricket.

But Marsh said he was not doing his job properly, as his dismissal had - for the second time in as many matches - hampered Australia's bid for quick runs towards the end of their innings.

"I've probably got out at crucial periods in both games and it's been very disappointing that I haven't gone on," he said.

"I've left the team in a bit of a tricky position so hopefully in the next few games I can really bat through the innings and do my job properly."

In both games, Marsh was caught trying to hit towards the on-side, denying him a crack at a maiden international century.

"I've got to set myself just in that middle period just to keep playing straight and not play two shots now trying to work through on the on-side," he said.

"Just playing a bit more straighter and being a bit more busy, and maybe I've lost concentration in the middle periods so hopefully I can rectify that in the next three games."

Meanwhile, captain Ricky Ponting reckons Tasmanian team-mate Ben Hilfenhaus' ability to close out today's win will give his fledgling international career a boost.

Marsh is determined to keep his concentration in the middle period of the match and try to play straighter

Hilfenhaus conceded an expensive 18 runs in his penultimate over in Melbourne and, after being crashed for 15 in Hobart, appeared set for another nightmare finish.

He went for 11 in the final over but held his nerve on the final two balls.

"To have that sort of pressure to deal with and cope with and get the job done I think will hold him in good stead for future games when he might be confronted with a similar situation," Ponting said.

"It's like a batter as well, if you actually get out there and win a game and get a team across the line you know you've done it before and therefore do it again.

"For Hilfy that will be excellent for him."

Both teams will have a few days off to recharge their batteries ahead of the third clash in Sydney on Friday.

Australia will revise their squad early this week.

Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel is expected to play in Sydney despite suffering a slight dislocation in his left index finger.

"It's not going to affect his bowling and he still hit the ball real well at the end," said South Africa captain Johan Botha.

"He'll be fine for Friday."