Australia v South Africa
VB Series, Match 7
Tuesday, January 22, 2002

This was actually a good wicket. In fact, in his pre-match report, Tony Greig predicted that something approaching 300 would be a par score - the last pitch at Sydney seamed a bit, so we were all expecting some movement, but this one was harder so there should have been more there for the batsmen. But when the rain came along, South Africa's fate was sealed, and Andrew Bichel certainly got the results to match his enthusiasm.

It was tough on Shaun Pollock, who finally won the toss, but must have wished he hadn't. Steve Waugh said he'd have batted first as well, so it was definitely a good one to lose.

I wouldn't go so far as to say Australia's win was inevitable, but I'm not surprised either. After the flak they got for their earlier performances, they were always likely to come back strongly, and their cause was helped by the selectors making a firm decision on the opening pairing.

The squad has been culled from 14 men, which is about time too. Matthew Hayden will feel unfortunate to miss out after the season he's had, but it makes more sense to send him back to state cricket for a while, than to lug him around the country without knowing if or when he was going to get a game.

Mark Waugh on the other hand has been fortunate to stay in the side, but he's been given that extra regard because of the experience he has, and the knowledge that he's done it all before. He knows this as well as anyone.

Waugh had a swing today and took it to the bowlers. He chanced his arm, got lucky a couple of times, but he made his intentions clear from the start and 55 not out - he'll be pleased with that. But Jonty Rhodes will be kicking himself. I have never seen him drop an easier chance than that. South Africa still would not have won if Waugh had been dismissed, but it would have put him further back on the ropes. Instead he's had an opportunity to clear his head a bit.

But now, with the bonus point in the bag it's Australia in the box seat. I'm all for the new system, as it rewards the big victories, and it has also played its part in the close ones as well. When chasing scores of 240 or so, a lot of sides have lost early wickets because they can't decide what pace to go off at.

This result has set the series up beautifully, and the South Africa-New Zealand games are going to be critical. South Africa have still got the wood on the Kiwis a bit - that win at Brisbane was New Zealand's first in 14 attempts - but they simply cannot afford to lose on Sunday.

Both camps have made some mutterings about the scheduling of these matches, and Pollock in particular has got a case. To play three games in four days - two in a row in the heat of Queensland - while New Zealand get a week off is something that Australia would never have accepted. But South Africa have only got themselves to blame for that one - their board and their players' association clearly weren't concentrating when they accepted the itinerary months ago.

Ian Healy, one of the game's greatest wicketkeepers, is now a commentator for Channel 9. He is giving his verdict on every match in the VB Series on Wisden.com. He was talking to Andrew Miller.

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