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Australian legend Ricky Ponting says other teams around the world might start taking notice of New Zealander Neil Wagner's success against Steve Smith.

New Zealand quick Neil Wagner might have unlocked the golden secret to dismissing Australian champion batsman Steve Smith.

The left-armer dismissed Smith for the fourth time in as many innings this series, as his dominance with the short ball continued on Saturday during the second Test at the MCG.

Australian legend Ricky Ponting says other teams might start employing similar tactics as Wagner and the Black Caps.

"A lot of teams around the world don't have a left-armer," Ponting said on the Seven Network.

"What we might see is right-armers going around the wicket and creating a very similar angle."

In the first innings, Wagner bounced the former Australian captain and he was caught at gully for 85 by a terrific one-handed catch from Henry Nicholls.

On Saturday, Smith (7) fell to more short-pitched bowling from Wagner, as the Australians chased quick second-innings runs and looked to build on their already imposing lead.

The dismissal meant Wagner became the second-fastest Kiwi to reach 200 Test wickets.

Wagner's success against Smith at Test level stretches back to 2016 when he dismissed the Australian No.4 during the first innings of a match in Christchurch.

The 33-year-old also removed Smith in both innings of the first Test of this series in Perth.