Lehmann worked the strike superbly

Ponting by this time was well into the zone and the way Lehmann was able to work the South African bowlers at will to give the strike back to his partner showed his class.

Numbers three, four and five all currently filled with players that are able to pick up runs in ones and twos as well as indulge in the power play that Ponting's innings was a prime example of.

At six, Jimmy Maher has proved with a steady 95 at Centurion and a furious 43 from 32 balls at Potchefstroom that he has the natural adapability required as well.

Even more frightening is the fact that a man recognised as one of the world's premier one-day batsmen, Michael Bevan, was sitting on the sidelines.

With stronger hitters like Ian Harvey, Shane Warne, Shane Watson and even Brett Lee coming in behind them, Australia appear to have an excellent balance to their batting line-up.

In the field, Ponting has retained the attacking ethos demonstrated by Steve Waugh during his stewardship of the one-day side.

Attacking ethos

Brett Lee has been particularly indulged by his captain but Ponting's clever use of the tearaway paceman has undermined South Africa at crucial points.

In the main Australia use Lee during the middle of the innings, keeping him away from the restricted fields in the first fifteen overs.

Although Lee still concedes more than his fair share of runs, by bowling at a stage when the field can be well spread, he asks the batsmen to hit across the line to try and find the gaps.

Lee's bowling is crucial in the mid-innings phase

As South Africa's batsmen have found, trying to do this against a bowler bowling at 90mph is fraught with danger, hence his two four wicket hauls in consecutive matches.

Of course, Ponting benefits from the steadiness of McGrath and to a lesser extent Gillespie.

These two are as good if not better than any opening pair in international cricket at keeping the score down in the first fifteen overs.

With the pressure created the trap can be set as was the case in Bloemfontein when South Africa went from a slim chance at 202 for four, to no chance at 207 for seven.

Much can happen in the next year to any side around the world as Australia's poor form in the VB series only a few months ago shows.

However, despite recent changes Australia's strategy seems much further ahead than all of their potential rivals bar Sri Lanka, who will be playing in an environment unlikely to suit them.

Therefore do not be surprised if the pattern seen in the match at Bloemfontein is the one seen winning the World Cup final at the Wanderers next March.