Backed into a corner and trailing 1-nil in the series against South Africa, the Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting showed his fighting spirit with a defiant 101 in the second Test in Melbourne.
However it wasn't enough to give his side a clear advantage with Australia 280 for 6 at stumps on day one.
Ponting says they're in a "reasonable" position while South Africa paceman Makhaya Ntini proclaimed it a good day for the Proteas.
Michael Clarke will resume today on 36 with Brett Lee on zero.
Opener Matthew Hayden could be making his last Test appearance after failing again with eight.
Dale Steyn and Ntini have 2 wickets each.
