Fight Club

Perth was a superb rear guard effort. Jacques Rudolph played the innings of his life and was sensational. Even though South Africa were under the hammer for much of the proceedings, to get out of jail like they did was a great display of character. Remember Australia were the team under pressure initially. Only good teams cause the Australian change room to be in disarray, which is exactly what South Africa did on day one.

For Australia to hold all the aces at lunch on the first day of the series after winning the toss and then for the visitors to fight back and roll them for 258, was a colossal performance.

Had Ponting been given out in the second innings instead of Billy Doctrove inhibiting South Africa by incorrectly insisting Langeveldt had overstepped, or had Hodge been caught on 13 and not scored a double century, things could have been different?

Although South Africa will be satisfied and relieved with the draw they made some glaring errors during the first encounter of what I am calling a six Test series.

Their problems started days before the Test when they misread the pitch. The WACA pitch resembled the ruinous MCG of 25 years ago and was a far cry from the normal treacherous, pacy track that generally welcomes touring teams with a sneer. It says a great deal when on that surface the biggest threat for Australia was a tweaker and South Africa did not select one.

Was it lack of faith in Boje or belief in the seamers? Quite simply, whatever it was the brains trust got it wrong. Boje first represented his country ten years ago in 1995 and if the coach and captain do not feel he can influence a game in agreeable conditions then he should not be there. If that is the case then surely it is time close a chapter and invests in some young blood.

Without a spinner, the balance of the team was erroneous. Four pace bowlers were reduced to four stock bowlers with an annoying sameness about them.

Ntini was sensational in the first innings and should have sparked the team but that did not evolve. Frustratingly, three of the four bowlers were way down on pace and subsequently on venom. A lack of vision re effective role playing and long spells diminished performance. The home team's balance was diverse. The brutal pace of Lee, the metronomic yet ineffective bowling of McGrath, the left arm variation of Bracken along with the ceaseless guile of Warne from one end continually probed.

Frustratingly conservative batting from South Africa's middle order in the first innings negated early heroics and compounded their problems when thoughts of a significant lead was a reality.

Also, what happened to all the pre match banter and promise of how South Africa were going to go toe to toe with Australia and eyeball them and stare them down? Duncan Fletcher offered advice on strategy to Mickey Arthur after their Ashes triumph that was priceless. "Treat Australia as a schoolyard bully." he said. "Ruffle them up and snipe in packs when things get tetchy."

In my view South Africa ignored that recommendation and seemed wary of waking the bully for fear of a backlash. Intensity levels after day one appeared to be low and consequently aggression was non-existent. In my view that is not the way to tackle Australia. Take them on and back yourself is the way to go and surprise them with serious intent.

Maybe the first Test was about sparring and trading minor jabs and from here on things will heat up in the antagonism stakes where necessary. Fletcher is right. It will be needed.

South Africa will not win against Australia playing attritional cricket, which has been their style for years. A new brand needs to be developed that is based on attacking spark.

Let's hope that, come Boxing Day, Smith and the boys come out fighting.