Kallis setback stalls South Africa

The Proteas fought back after losing the early wickets of Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla but the departure of Kallis - caught behind trying to sweep Nathan Hauritz's off-spin - was an unwelcome setback immediately before the interval. Skipper Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 46 at the other end.

Given the new ball ahead of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle struck the first blow for the home side when he clean bowled McKenzie for a duck in just the second over of the Proteas' innings after the opener played down the wrong line.

The Victorian troubled South Africa throughout the session with his pace and managed to get several balls to take off from a good length. Brett Lee, meanwhile, made an impact on the speed gun but not on the opposition batsmen as they plundered 27 runs from his opening four overs.

With Lee struggling, Ponting turned to Johnson and he again rewarded his captain with a wicket - this time having Amla brilliantly caught at gully by Andrew Symonds for 26 and leave South Africa 39 for two.

Kallis and Smith took the shine off the new ball with a 63-run stand but the introduction of Hauritz, who bowled a tidy spell, proved vital as he removed the former on the stroke of tea.

The day had begun with the Proteas holding a slight advantage having restricted Australia to 280 for six the previous evening but another plucky performance by the Australian tail and a mature unbeaten 88 from vice-captain Michael Clarke returned the ascendancy to the home side.

Led by Clarke, Australia took the attack to South Africa who, apart from Dale Steyn, failed to apply enough pressure to the lower order. Steyn snared three wickets in the morning session to finish with five for 87 - his 10th haul of five wickets or more - removing Lee, Johnson and Hauritz.

Lee, Hauritz and later Siddle provided excellent support for Clarke as the home side squeezed an invaluable 114 runs for the final four wickets. It was a different Clarke on show compared to the ultra-defensive batsman who found scoring difficult on day one.

After taking more than three-and-a-half hours to reach 36 yesterday, Clarke needed just 13 more deliveries in the morning to complete his half-century. He shared a stand of 45 with Lee, added 26 with Hauritz and further frustrated the Proteas by grinding out 42 with last man Siddle.