The Proteas must beat the Australians on an anticipated turning Sydney Cricket Ground wicket to square the series after going down by 184 runs in the second Melbourne Test, a match that Australia won comprehensively in all departments.

Ponting heads into 2006 as Test cricket's officially top-ranked batsman, having snatched the honour away from South Africa's Jacques Kallis after becoming the year's leading runscorer with 1,544 runs at 67.13 in 15 matches.

"On a personal note, I guess it's been a decent year. I don't get too carried away with it," Ponting said on Sunday.

"Hopefully, this year I can average about the same and the team can keep improving.

"There was a lot of disappointment with the Ashes tour of England (lost series 2-1) the way it was, but the way we've bounced back...has been pretty pleasing."

He admits he is already looking ahead to the home Ashes series against England.

"It's only I think six Test matches (four against South Africa and two against Bangladesh) away from the

first Ashes Test (next November in Brisbane), which we are all looking forward to a lot," he said.

"But in saying that, we have a few other Test matches to play along the way which are equally important to me and to the team, obviously starting tomorrow and then the away ones against South Africa.

"We'll focus on the Ashes when it comes around but it certainly will be an exciting time."

Ponting said he expects senior opening batsman Justin Langer to return from a hamstring injury and take his place in the team.

Langer over-stretched the hamstring in the drawn first Test in Perth and had two work-outs in the SCG nets Sunday along with some sprint work.

Langer also said he was fine and expected to play.

Should Langer return to the side Phil Jaques, who made his Test debut in Melbourne, will make way.

Andre Nel is expected to open the fast bowling attack alongside Shaun Pollock. Newly-arrived off-spinner Johan Botha, who has yet to play a Test, could partner established spinner Nicky Boje.

"Sydney is going to be a challenge. Losing Makhaya is always going to be a challenge for us. He's led our attack for a while and he's been very successful," skipper Graeme Smith said.

"We lose our real out-and-out strike bowler. That leaves opportunities for other players. We'll have a look at the conditions in Sydney and make some decisions from there."

Smith said he had been disappointed with his series form while opening the innings with AB de Villiers, with scores of 34, 30, 22 and 25.

"It's disappointing, but I think a big score is just around the corner," he said.

TEAMS
AUSTRALIA: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Nathan Bracken, Phil Jaques (on standby for Langer). 12th man to be named.

SOUTH AFRICA (from): Graeme Smith (captain), AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Rudolph, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Johan Botha, Andre Nel, Garnett Kruger.