We'll dominate again in a few years: Ponting

Virtually admitting that the days of their absolute domination is over, Australia captain Ricky Ponting on Tuesday said it would take a few years before the side returns as the same ruthless force which ruled world cricket with an iron fist.

"We've had an amazing run as a team . We have dominated world cricket for a long period of time," Ponting said after his side went down to South Africa in the second Test on Tuesday.

"I'm still very positive and very sure that with some of these younger guys coming on that in a few years time we can get back up there and be dominating world cricket once again.

"It's going to take a little while, there is no doubt about that. You can not expect young guys to come in and have sustain success. The young guys are the ones who generally lack consistency," Ponting said.

"The gap between our best cricket and our worst cricket has been too big and we have to make that smaller if we want to win the next Test and if we want to stay in that top group of Test-playing nations," added Ponting.

Ponting admitted it was a strange feeling for some of the players who have been used to wins only but felt there was no reason to press the panic button yet.

"A lot of players in the team aren't accustomed to losing Test matches let alone Test series. We've all got to remain upbeat. There's no time for panic or as (chief selector) Andrew Hilditch said, chop and change," Ponting said.

Women bodyguards to protect Dhoni

In a bid to tackle the onrush of his female fan following, Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who flew down on Tuesday, has been provided with women constables in his security ring.

"We have given some women police in view of the female fan following," Inspector General of Police, S N Pradhan said.

Facing severe criticism from Dhoni's fans after India captain drove alone to the airport to catch a flight on December 4, the administration took no chances and deployed adequate security, including personnel from the special task force.

"We have provided security on par with the 'Z' security on the basis of his star status."

"Though 'Z' security is given to only those having threat perception from anti-national elements, yet we have provided sufficient security to him," Pradhan said in the background of the previous reports claiming that Dhoni's 'Z' security was just on paper.

But whatever might be the security level, Dhoni's fans are finding it difficult to have a glimpse of their idol whenever he is in the town.

"Earlier, we could at least reach till the doors of Dhoni as the men in police uniform never stopped us, but now it has become difficult for us to breach the the women policemen," rued a fan.

"Yes, they have to stand at a distance. We have been strictly instructed not to allow anyone, even the media people," said a woman constable, guarding the lane in the Mecon colony where Dhoni's resides.

Watson ruled out of bowling for six months

The Australian attack for the Sydney Test against South Africa depleted further with Shane Watson being ruled out of bowling for up to six months because of stress fractures in his back.

Pace spearhead Brett Lee has also been ruled out of action due to foot stress injury.

The Australian attack for the third and final Test, beginning January 3, could be one of the most inexperienced in its history, as pacemen Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson and spinner Nathan Hauritz have played only 22 Tests between them.

Watson, who was being considered a possible replacement for struggling Andrew Symonds, said the injury to his lower left-hand side of his back was sustained during a recent domestic game and had since troubled him.

Scans yesterday revealed the fractures. "I felt I'd made some really, really big inroads in to my game in being able to play consistently, and I suppose I was pushing myself to the edge, which is what I need to do to be able to achieve the things I want to achieve. Unfortunately it just tipped over the edge a little bit," Watson was quoted as saying in a media report on Tuesday.

"I think it's about four to six weeks of just rest, let the fracture heal, and then just start playing as a batsman. I am not exactly sure of the timeline for bowling but to be back to full bowling it probably going to be four to six months I think," Watson said.

I'm still a "dangerous player", says Vaughan

The snub for the West Indies tour has not dampened Michael Vaughan's spirit and the former captain insists he is still "dangerous as a player" willing to do everything to force his way back into the England squad.

In his column for 'The Daily Telegraph', Vaughan said he accepted the snub from the selectors but was still hopeful of a comeback into the side.

"I still feel I am mentally fresh and dangerous as a player but I understand the decision not to pick me for the West Indies," Vaughan wrote.

"Now I just want to bide my time and enjoy a proper, settled pre-season with Yorkshire. Preparing for the summer and scoring runs at the start of the season is the best way for me to force my way back into the England side," he added.

Vaughan, who was part of the English Performance Squad in India, said he did not get enough chance to get some runs under his belt and press his case.

"...due to what happened in Mumbai I did not get the chance to play in two matches for the England Lions and therefore missed the chance to press my claims for a recall," he said.

His career at a crossroad, Vaughan said he would now give his best for Yorkshire to stake his claim for a berth in the national side.

"I am not in the England team and Yorkshire now has to be my main concern. I have to knuckle down with them and start the season as well as I can. If that happens then I will put the guys under pressure and still have the chance to play for England again, something that I dearly would like to do during an Ashes summer," he said.

SA seal historic series win over Australia

South Africa ended nearly a century-old drought to register their first ever series win in Australia when they crushed the hosts by nine wickets in the historic second cricket Test on Tuesday. 

Since touring Australia for the first time in 1910-11, this was the Proteas' maiden series win Down Under -- their previous best performance being a 1-1 draw back in 1963-64.

Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, South Africa will topple Australia from their top ranking if Graeme Smith's men can win the third and final Test in Sydney.

Resuming on 30 for no loss, South Africa needed 42 overs to score the remaining 153 runs losing just one wicket for a memorable win and the moment came soon after lunch when Hashim Amla flicked Michael Clarke behind square leg for two runs.

In a match where Smith struck two fifties, JP Duminy scored his maiden hundred and Ponting scored 101 and 99, fats bowler Dale Steyn was adjudged Man of the Match for his match haul of 10 for 154 besides the crucial 76 he scored in the first innings.

Smith was the lone South African wicket to fall in the second innings. The South African captain was trapped leg before by Nathan Hauritz after making a 94-ball 75 with 10 boundaries in it.

Neil McKenzie (59) and Amla (30) remained not out after guiding the team to a historic win.

Ponting, meanwhile, became the first Australian captain in 16 years to suffer a series defeat on home soil. Last time Australia lost a series at home was against the West Indies in 1992-93.

More than their bowling attack, Australia's slim chance of saving the match depended on rain.

Though there was slight drizzle in the morning, play started on schedule and South Africa could not be denied the win they so thoroughly deserved.

Ponting once again ignored Mitchell Johnson despite the left-arm seamer being Australia's best bowler of the season so far. Instead, the Australia skipper relied more on Brett Lee and Peter Siddle.

Lee, who is set to undergo a foot surgery, looked in pain and hobbled.

Matthew Hayden's nightmare also continued and the Australian opener today dropped McKenzie in the first slip when the batsman was on 49.

Having made history, Graeme Smith, meanwhile, was all smiles.

"I have been smiling since the winning runs. It's incredible. It has been a team effort and when it's come to key moment in this Test we've stepped up," a beaming Smith later said.

"JP (Duminy) was incredible and the self belief in the team is flowing. It's an honour to come here and beat a quality unit. We're going to celebrate and enjoy our New Year and not many of us are thinking about Sydney," Smith said.

His opposite number Ponting was graceful in defeat and he hinted there might be a few changes in the side for the Sydney Test.

"We deserved to be in this position and full marks to South Africa . They won very comfortably, a well deserved series win. Things were looking good for us at one stage, but their tail played exceptionally well and Lee went down through injury.

"We weren't able to convert our opportunities. Let's see what the selectors come up with for next week," Ponting said.

Though there was slight drizzle in the morning, play started on schedule and South Africa could not be denied the win they so thoroughly deserved.

Ponting once again ignored Mitchell Johnson despite the left-arm seamer being Australia's best bowler of the season so far. Instead, the Australia skipper relied more on Brett Lee and Peter Siddle.

Lee, who is set to undergo a foot surgery, looked in pain and hobbled.

Matthew Hayden's nightmare also continued and the Australian opener today dropped McKenzie in the first slip when the batsman was on 49.

Having made history, Graeme Smith, meanwhile, was all smiles.

"I have been smiling since the winning runs. It's incredible. It has been a team effort and when it's come to key moment in this Test we've stepped up," a beaming Smith later said.

"JP (Duminy) was incredible and the self belief in the team is flowing. It's an honour to come here and beat a quality unit. We're going to celebrate and enjoy our New Year and not many of us are thinking about Sydney," Smith said.

His opposite number Ponting was graceful in defeat and he hinted there might be a few changes in the side for the Sydney Test.

"We deserved to be in this position and full marks to South Africa. They won very comfortably, a well deserved series win. Things were looking good for us at one stage, but their tail played exceptionally well and Lee went down through injury.

"We weren't able to convert our opportunities. Let's see what the selectors come up with for next week," Ponting said.