A change in attitude - not the end of selection rotation - was the key factor in Australia's form reversal in the cricket tri series, batsman Mark Waugh said today.

Australia's comprehensive victory over South Africa in Sydney last night, its second in three days, came from an improved mental approach, not the change in playing personnel, Waugh told reporters in Adelaide today.

"We didn't lost the first three games because of the rotation, we lost because our attitude wasn't quite right," Waugh said.

"We didn't do the basics right, rotation or not, you've got to do the basics right."

Selectors opted to go with Australia's best batting line-up for last night's match after deciding to end the system of rotating the squad of 14 players through the side for the first four matches of the series.

Waugh said Australia's one-day side had rotated regularly and without any problems for the past 26 matches.

But he said the turnaround in attitude should be enough for Australia to carry its improved form through to the tri-series finals after climbing past South Africa (8 points) with a bonus point last night to be on nine points, behind New Zealand (12).

"I think we've turned the corner, our attitude's been spot-on the last couple of games, guys have got a bit more confidence back and hopefully we can keep that going," he said.

"We can't afford too many slip-ups or we won't be in the finals but I'm confident that we'll keep winning now."

Waugh said his own improvement in making 55 not out last night was more to do with a change in luck than a return to form.

"I wouldn't say I'm in great form, I had a bit of luck last night, I haven't had much luck all summer, so it was nice to get a few chances and post a 50," he said.

Waugh had made scores of one, nought and 15 in his three previous innings in the series and there was speculation he would be dropped from the side with the prolific Darren Lehmann touted as a replacement.

But the 36-year-old veteran said he had not felt any added pressure.

"I suppose when you get older people don't want to give you as many chances," he said.

"Every time there's a couple of failures there's always pressure on but I'm pretty used to it now, I've got to keep scoring runs, that's the name of the game, so that's what I hope to keep doing."

© 2002 AAP