PERTH, Dec 21: Australia’s inability to defend 414 in the Perth Test against South Africa has left skipper Ricky Ponting considering bowling changes for next week’s Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Mitchell Johnson collected 11 wickets for the match but Brett Lee, Peter Siddle and Jason Krejza managed only one each and their lack of penetration allowed South Africa to record the second-highest run chase in Test history.

“We have to look at that,” Ponting said after the defeat. “We have to think about the style of bowlers we’ve got in the side at the moment.”

Ponting was also keen to chat with the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch about the Tasmanian swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus.

“Maybe a Hilfenhaus or someone like that who can definitely use a new ball,” Ponting said. Neither Siddle nor Lee produced any swing and it put burden on Johnson.

“Lee will be in the squad,” Ponting said. “There’s no doubt he’s under a little bit of pressure at the moment. I think if you asked him he’d probably be a little bit disappointed with only taking one wicket this week as well. I’m sure he’ll be in the squad.”—Agencies