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Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz will replace Jason Krejza in the Australia XI for the second Test against South Africa in Melbourne.

Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz will replace Jason Krejza in the Australia XI for the critical second Test against South Africa, which starts in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

Hauritz is the only change for the hosts as all-rounder Andrew Symonds retained his place despite struggling with a knee injury for majority of the week, including the latter stages of the series opener in Perth, which Australia lost by six wickets to go 1-0 behind in the three-Test series.

Despite being restricted to light training yesterday, Symonds was able to take part in a nets session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this morning and even managed to roll his arm over - albeit to coach Tim Nielsen's three young sons.

"Bit more of a judgment"

However, it was enough to convince captain Ricky Ponting and the national selection panel that the powerful 33-year-old would be fit for the Test at the MCG.

"The last three or four days it's improved dramatically from where it was at the end of the Perth game," said Ponting.

Symonds doubtful for Test against SA

"He does feel a lot better with it, he's had a number of scans and a number of experts have a look at it so it is really now just about management through this game and then through the next Test match.

"I think they (physios) will make a bit more of a judgment on what needs to happen then."

Ponting conceded that Symonds will not be able to bowl his medium-pacers but that he and Michael Clarke will be used to support Hauritz with their off-spin.

"I think there's a bit of an opportunity in this game as well to use him a bit more and Michael Clarke a bit more with their part-time spin to try and keep our quicks a little bit fresher as the day and the game goes on," the skipper added.

Ponting is optimistic

Although Krejza could only manage match figures of one for 204 in his second Test match at the WACA, Ponting said it was a 'harsh call' to drop him for the Boxing Day Test so soon after his 12-wicket debut in India.

But Ponting is optimistic that Hauritz can have an impact on the second Test.

"Hopefully he can do the job that we all want to see from him and hopefully that makes the jobs on the other bowlers in our side just that little bit easier as well," he said.

"That's the reason he's here. I think he'll be in a better position to be able to play the role that we require than Jason probably would have been."

India, SA in the race to dethrone Aussies

Ponting revealed that the selection panel were tempted to play four fast bowlers before deciding to head into the match with a spinner.

"If you look at the Shield wickets and results here the last couple of games, the quicks have been the ones that have done all the damage," he added.

"Talking to the Victorian state coach, he said it has seamed around quite a bit here but they've had overcast conditions and rain-affected games and the games even haven't lasted the four days. It doesn't look like we'll get that (kind of weather) this week."

Meanwhile, under-fire paceman Peter Siddle escaped the selectors' axe despite Ponting saying that Tasmanian quick Ben Hilfenhaus came very close to being selected.

The visitors are taking in an unchanged line-up after batsman Ashwell Prince, who broke his thumb last week, was not deemed fit enough to be selected.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Nathan Hauritz. 12th man: Shane Watson.

South African squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn. 12th man: To be named.