Australia on the up

Both Australia and South Africa agree that the hosts will receive a boost in confidence after completing a 2-0 clean sweep of the Twenty20 international series.

The Proteas secured their first Test series victory on Australian soil last month, but have since lost the third Test in Sydney and two Twenty20 encounters.

Mike Hussey, who hit a match-winning unbeaten half-century in a six-wicket triumph at the Gabba yesterday, is hopeful Australia's recent turnaround in form will continue when they start the Commonwealth Bank one-day series against the same opponents on Friday at the MCG.

“I think it's a good start. I think it’s given a lot of guys a lot of belief that we can beat this South African team,” he said. “We've got to go in with some confidence on Friday.

“But again on Friday we start nil-all and we start punching each other again. I think it's good to have a couple of wins under our belt and to give us that confidence, but I don't think it makes us favourites or not favourites.

"They are still a very professional outfit. They're still very disciplined with the way they go about their bowling and fielding.

Mike Hussey claims Australia head into the one-day series in good heart following their Twenty20 success

“They're an outstanding team and we're going to have to play very well to beat them in the Commonwealth Bank Series.”

South Africa captain Johan Botha admitted his side's morale had taken a blow following their recent run of defeats.

"I think tonight showed us we can compete with Australia and we'll have to keep finding a way to do it, because we've lost all the momentum now and we will be under pressure in the one-day series," Botha said.

AB de Villiers, still nursing a hip injury after being struck by a Shaun Tait delivery on Sunday, was forced to sit out yesterday’s game and is a doubt for the match on Friday night.

“With Graeme (Smith) gone, he (de Villiers) is definitely our best one-day player, so we'll definitely need him in the one-day series," Botha said.

Hussey, who rode his luck after being handed a lifeline on two following a missed stumping from Mark Boucher, was content with his classy knock of 53 not out after a recent lean trot in the Test arena.

"It was great. I really enjoyed it in excellent conditions for cricket,” he said. “It's always a pretty good pitch up here. I enjoyed winning the game for Australia, that was the most important thing.

"In this great game it doesn't always go your way, so unfortunately so far in the summer it hasn't really gone my way.

“But I had a couple of things go my way tonight so I was able to go on and get a decent score."