South Africa under the whip in second Test

The once-feared fast bowling combination of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock was rendered innocuous as South Africa's miseries multiplied on the second day of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Having held the top two spots in the world Test bowling rankings three years ago, South Africa's all-time leading wicket-takers lacked pace and hostility as Australia made a flying start in reply to South Africa's no-more-than-moderate 277 all out.

Whereas South Africa were made to struggle for every run, the Australian opening batsmen, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, took their side to 126 for no wicket at a veritable gallop.

It was a depressing day for the South Africans, already one down in a three-match series, and it will take a massive reversal of momentum for them to win on the ground which they felt gave them their best chance of levelling the series.

The optimism was based on the expected pace and bounce of the MCG pitch. It duly materialised, although not excessively so, but the Australians exploited it much better.

Donald, once the fearsomely fast White Lightning, trundled through nine overs at a pace around 135 kmh, which might get him into a current top 20 of international speed merchants. Langer eased Donald's third ball through the covers for two and, emboldened, lashed the next through the same area for four.

An opening spell of five overs from the northern end cost 20 runs. His next four overs, from the south, cost 14. Only once did he induce a false shot, and then Pollock reacted late at gully as the ball flew off Langer's bat for four.

By contrast, Mornantau Hayward and Australia's Brett Lee were some 10kmh quicker, although Hayward looked anything but threatening in four overs which cost 33 runs.

Pollock, who rarely gets much quicker than 130kmh, has achieved success through accuracy, stamina and movement off the pitch. The true pitches of Australia have offered him nothing and quality batsmen like Langer and Hayden have found him easy meat.

The only South African bowler who looked threatening was Jacques Kallis, who despite his placid nature, would have been roused to some passion by an awful decision which ended his batting contribution.

Kallis was the target of a barrage of fast, short-pitched bowling, which he did not play fully convincingly. He struggled to 38 before he twitched at a ball from Andy Bichel which flew past him. Neither wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist nor Bichel appealed but Shane Warne, at first slip, did. The others joined in and West Indian umpire Eddie Nicholls lifted his finger.

Bichel himself admitted that he was "lucky" to get the decision and acknowledged that the breakthrough was at a crucial time, ending as it did a 72-run fourth wicket stand between Kallis and the ever-maturing Neil McKenzie.

The situation was made worse when Lance Klusener, undeservedly still batting at number six, lunged clumsily and cross-battedly to hit a return catch off the next ball.

McKenzie was South Africa's shining light, making a solid, sensible 67, while Mark Boucher and Pollock both passed 40.

Donald had a thorough working over from the genuinely fast Lee and at the end of an over which included two bouncers and three full-pitched deliveries, seemed almost relieved to edge a catch to third slip.

It seemed that Steve Waugh had got his tactics wrong when he set deep fields, inviting Pollock to take a single and thus expose last man Hayward. The last wicket put on 44, which seemed valuable runs at the time.

Ten overs later Australia were 45 for no wicket, with both Donald and Pollock allowing themselves to be driven frequently, while the running between the wickets of Langer and Hayden was outstanding.

South Africa have much catching up to do.