2nd Test: Australia v South Africa at Melbourne, Dec 26-30, 2005 /

Second Test

Australia v South Africa, 2005-06

2006: Australia v South Africa, 2005-06

Fast bowler sweeps fan polls

Ntini voted South Africa's favorite sportsperson

Dec 30, 2005: Makhaya Ntini, ruled out of the third Test against Australia at Sydney with a knee injury, has found some consolation in being named South Africa's most popular sportsperson, the first time the honour has been bestowed upon a cricketer

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 5th day

'No reason to apologise for over-appealing' - Ponting

Dec 30, 2005: Graeme Smith has denied Australia's "over-appealing" led to his team's demise in the second Test and has vowed to increase their ruthlessness in Sydney next week.

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 5th day

World beater turned understudy

Dec 30, 2005: Glenn McGrath is learning to cope as the attack's second string while sending reminders he's still a reliable force

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Langer included in squad for Sydney

Dec 30, 2005: Ricky Ponting's satisfaction at taking a 1-0 lead has been boosted by the inclusion of Justin Langer to his squad for the series-deciding Test starting in Sydney on Monday

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Australia wrap up crushing win

Dec 30, 2005: Soon after lunch on the final day Australia wrapped up a crushing 184-run win in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Melbourne

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Losing it at the end

Dec 29, 2005: South Africa shadowed their opponents for eight days before finally losing touch

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 4th day

'It's been a titanic struggle' - Arthur

Dec 29, 2005: Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, has called Shane Warne and the Australians "masters" at applying pressure on the umpires with constant appealing

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Fan ejected from MCG for racial taunt

Dec 29, 2005: A spectator was ejected during for making racist taunts during the second Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), according to ground officials

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Symonds and Hayden put Australia on course for win

Dec 29, 2005: Australia sniffed victory and a 1-0 lead in the series with South Africa on the verge of defeat at 6 for 99 chasing 366

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

'When I've batted I've been the most nervous' - Symonds

Dec 28, 2005: Andrew Symonds breathed some life into his career with 3 for 16 in a seven-over spell of nagging off-cut and inswing to exploit the pitch's variable bounce

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Pace versus grit

Dec 28, 2005: Brett Lee and Herschelle Gibbs shared a gripping exchange that confirmed the bowler as his team's main strike weapon and the batsman as Australia's greatest danger

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Australia on top after Symonds's strikes

Dec 28, 2005: Australia bowled out South Africa out for 311 and then reached 2 for 110 at stumps on the third day, securing a sizeable lead of 154

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 2nd day

Arthur prepares South Africa for 'attritional' battle

Dec 27, 2005: Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, expects the "attritional" Test series to continue on day three

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 2nd day

Australia's new barnstormer

Dec 27, 2005: Michael Hussey has assumed Adam Gilchrist's role as the barnstorming striker and quickly become Australia's key middle-order batsman

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 2nd day

The MCG's makeover

Dec 27, 2005: Peter English on the changes being made to the MCG

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 2nd day

Hussey special gives Australia the upper hand

Dec 27, 2005: Michael Hussey's century took Australia to an unlikely 355, but South Africa fought back through AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 1st day

Play of the day

Dec 26, 2005: Brad Hodge is the second Victorian batsman to play a Test since Dean Jones' career ended in 1992 and his home supporters made his entrance as loudly memorable as those of his mentor and predecessor

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 1st day

Brittle middle hands back Ponting's plan

Dec 26, 2005: Ricky Ponting's individual success did not prevent Australia from being hauled in dramatically on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test

Australia's highest heritage honour

Heritage listing for Melbourne Cricket Ground

Dec 26, 2005: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been included on the National Heritage List, Australia's highest heritage honour