Thrilling contest on the cards

South Africa have been successful at disrupting Australia's plans for a summer of domination. By Boxing Day Ricky Ponting's men would have expected a 1-0 lead, especially after taking a 490-run buffer in Perth, but they were thwarted by the type of application that has made them such enjoyable and irritating opponents. The MCG is in the final stages of its redevelopment for the Commonwealth Games and the second Test starting on Monday should act as the perfect dress rehearsal.

Crowd predictions for the first day have already stretched towards 80,000 and following the most competitive Test of the summer expectation is high of a repeat performance. Australian supporters now know their team cannot walk over South Africa and most are excited by the threat of an extended contest.

The countries have played only ten Tests at the ground and while the home side has won six times, the Proteas have enjoyed some of their most famous Australian performances there. When Jack Cheetham's side sealed a surprising drawn series in 1952-53 both victories came at the MCG. It remains South Africa's most successful campaign in Australia ahead of the 1-1 results in 1963-64 and 1993-94.

Eight years ago Jacques Kallis also held up Australia at Melbourne with an innings strangely similar to Jacques Rudolph's 102 not out at Perth on Tuesday. Both displays salvaged unlikely draws, built the young batsmen's reputations and made sure they would not be bullied like most touring teams. Playing his seventh Test, Kallis hit only six fours in the 101 and blunted the threats of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

South Africa hope Kallis can resume his battle against the older and wiser pair in his 95th Test on Monday. His fight over an elbow injury has covered most of this tour and he is confident of filling the crucial role as the side's world-class allrounder. The problem is he felt the same way before Perth and was ruled out, giving Rudolph his chance. Ashwell Prince is likely to make way if Kallis returns while the spin of Nicky Boje will be a vital option to the fast-medium battery and will probably force Charl Langeveldt aside.

Slow bowling is also a talking point in the Australian camp with the Warne and Stuart MacGill combination being considered again. It is unbelievable that the discussion continues after their performances together over the past year, but the pairing still concerns the selectors despite the side's inability to win the opening match.

Nathan Bracken is MacGill's greatest threat; MacGill has no doubt over his ability on the MCG pitch, but the curator Tony Ware predicts it will be more beneficial for a three-seamer attack. Ware expects the surface to turn as the match concludes and he has left more grass on in the hope it provides pace and bounce. "I just can't remember a time when two spinners have been really effective here," he said in The Australian.

Warne was over-worked and under-rewarded in the first Test and has been recovering from the back and shoulder aches that take longer to leave his 36-year-old body. With Australia depending on him, he will need more support in this match and the next one in Sydney.

There is also uncertainty at the top of the order after Justin Langer succumbed to a hamstring injury last weekend and Phil Jaques, who did not meet Ponting until this week, was called from New South Wales. He becomes the third batting debutant for Australia this summer and at 26 is a long term-prospect. Four of the top six have played fewer than ten Tests and South Africa must exploit the inexperience if they are to continue making things difficult for the hosts.

Australia (possible) 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Phil Jaques, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Brad Hodge, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Andrew Symonds, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Stuart MacGill, 11 Glenn McGrath.

South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 AB de Villiers, 3 Jacques Rudolph, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Herschelle Gibbs, 6 Justin Kemp, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Nicky Boje, 10 Makhaya Ntini, 11 Andre Nel.