Powerplay adds dimension - Ponting

Ricky Ponting struck 64 but admits he should have taken the third powerplay earlier

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The powerplay rule is shaping as the new x-factor in one-day cricket after playing a starring role in the opening two matches of Australia's series with South Africa.

The Proteas used their third batting powerplay with devastating effect on Friday night and nearly pinched today's game in Hobart, clubbing 43 runs at the death only to fall six short of victory.

By contrast, Australia could post only 23 during their final powerplay, losing two wickets in the process.

The powerplay rule allows the bowling and batting captains to choose for which five-over periods no more than three fielders can be placed outside the circle.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said his team was yet to take full advantage of the rule.

He admitted he had erred today by not using the third batting powerplay at around the 15-over mark when he and Shaun Marsh were in the midst of a 135-run partnership.

"(Dale) Steyn and (Makhaya) Ntini had both bowled six overs at that stage. If we took it then it would have forced them to bring those guys back and they would have had to bowl eight overs each by the 20-over mark and they would have been short at the back end," Ponting said.

"It's one of those rules that you have to be very flexible with and try and use it the best that you can to your advantage every time and today we didn't use it as best as we could have."

Ponting said he was a fan of the rule, introduced in 2005 to increase excitement during the middle overs of one-day innings.

"I think it's added a bit to the game, there's no doubt about that, especially if the batting team uses it effectively," he said.

"Even in Melbourne the other night it was pretty spectacular with them getting their 50 over the last five overs to win the game and they tried it again today and came up that little bit short.

"It's added an extra dimension to the game and it gives me a little bit more thinking to do out on the field, which is not always a good thing."

The Proteas denied they had over-invested in the third powerplay following their heroic feats in the opening game but admitted they may have been guilty of a lack of urgency during the middle part of their run chase.

"We discuss it before the time when we're going to take it (the powerplay)," South Africa captain Johan Botha said.

"The last two games we've taken it quite late. It's been our plan so far and we'll have to chat about it for the next game.

"The guys out in the middle will think what's best and let us know and we'll come up with something then."