Ponting puzzles Clarke

Ricky Ponting finds his tactical acumen under scrutiny once more after a testing day in the field

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke could not explain Ricky Ponting's tactics following a miserable third day in the second Test against South Africa at the MCG.

Beginning the day as firm favourites, Australia ended it as outsiders to win the game and level the series after the South Africa tail wagged sufficiently to steer them to 459 - and a first-innings lead worth 65. Australia ended the day on four without loss in their second innings.

South Africa had been reeling at 184 for seven late yesterday, but a sublime 166 from JP Duminy - his maiden Test century - again highlighted Australia's urgent need to find suitable replacements for Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

Spectators were left puzzled by several decisions from Ponting, whose captaincy came under fire in the final Test in India and again after last week's six-wicket defeat by South Africa in Perth, when the tourists successfully chased 414 in the fourth innings.

Ponting’s decision to bowl Mike Hussey early in the day did yield a wicket five balls into his spell, and the captain was down a frontline bowler following a foot injury to Brett Lee which prevented him featuring all day.

But despite being declared fit to bowl, Andrew Symonds was not introduced into the attack until the 125th over of the innings, the penultimate over before tea.

"I have no idea why he didn't come on until so late," Clarke said. "You'll have to ask Ricky that. At the time he did get a bowl, Ricky thought it was appropriate."

Left-arm spinner Simon Katich, who has 13 Test wickets, including a haul of 6-65, did not bowl at all.

"I asked Simon at some stage if he was okay to bowl and he said he hadn't been bowling in the nets because his shoulder was a little bit sore," Clarke said.

"But had he been asked to bowl I think he would have done that. (It's) probably another question for the skip. I don't make the bowling selections."

JP Duminy, who made a superb 166, was surprised Simon Katich's left-arm spin was not employed

Duminy admitted he was surprised by some of Ponting's tactics.

"I thought maybe Katich would have got a bowl as well," he said. "I didn't think Hussey was too bad either, a decent seam bowler."

Duminy, though, was understandably more eager to concentrate on his own exploits after reaching three figures in only his second Test.

It was a second milestone for the stylish left-hander, who hit the winning runs in Perth to secure South Africa the second-highest run-chase in Test history a week ago.

"To score a Test century at this ground (the MCG) is just an unbelievable experience," he said. "It's definitely the colosseum of all grounds and it's an unbelievable atmosphere here.

"I think my toughest period was in my 90s, purely because I think nerves got the best of me, being at the MCG, (in my) second Test match, with a chance of scoring a Test century.

"That was probably the most tense moment for me. After I got 100 it got a little bit easier."

Duminy reserved high praise for Dale Steyn (76), with whom he added 180, the third highest stand for the ninth wicket in South Africa's Test history.

"He showed a lot of guts today," Duminy said. "He got hit quite a bit but, he stuck it out and we kept talking to each other, trying to motivate each other, stay calm and not play the moment but play the ball. It worked out for us today."

Despite his knock, Duminy, who was only called into the side after vice-captain Ashwell Prince fractured his finger prior to the first Test at the WACA, is not sure he will keep his place for the third Test in Sydney.

"If Ashwell is fit to play I'm sure he will," he added. "But I'm just thankful for the opportunity. I've got a taste of Test cricket now and I'm just looking forward to hopefully a next game."