Ponting savvy gets better of S Africa

Friday's ODI in Johannesburg was a tactical battle more than most realise. Defending a total at the Wanderers is tough, partly because the white ball just seems to fly a bit further because of the altitude. Partly because the ground is not all that big.

The straight boundries only at 60 metres and square of the wicket around 80-85 metres. The ground also tends to "play small." With the carpet-like outfield, once that ball gets past the inner ring, or if you are on the boundry - it just keeps on getting away from you.

To the tactics. Chasing 304, South Africa were coasting at 180 odd for two, Gibbs out. Kallis still there with De Villiers and Duminy at the crease, you would back them to win. Ponting had to gamble and with the change of ball after 34 overs. The "new" ball had to do something.

The left-arm slingers from Mitchell Johnson and the controlled seamers from Bracken did the trick. Kallis nicks off three balls after the ball change; Duminy then falls to wild swish 8 balls later. Haddin takes both catches and the Proteas 191/4. Ponting's punt pays dividends.

A South African counter-punch? Unfortunately not. Boucher falls 4 overs later and Albie Morkel tried to attack spinner Haurtiz, but fell to catch of the season by Ben Laughlin. Game over, Maria Sharapova.

The Proteas could have counter-punched by: calling the powerplay sooner. With De Villiers and Kallis at the crease, knowing that the ball change was coming in the 34th over. Perhaps that would have forced Australia to reconsider whether it was too early to gamble with Johnson, Bracken and the "new ball." At least Ponting would have have had to reconsider.

South Africa only called for their (batting) Powerplay once Albie Morkel got out. That is, start of the 43rd over 229/6 (requiring 73 off 42) with De Villiers in and rookie Roelof Van de Merwe with him. How much chance did they stand?

The current Proteas team might well be ranked #1 in the world. But counter-punching and being alert is the difference between winning 4-1 and 3-2.