Most of the former Australian players commentating in Adelaide will tell you that South Africa has never had a great captain. Shrewd and adventurous tactics are not part of their national game. When in doubt, defence is their credo. Australians usually go the opposite way. Shaun Pollock is no exception. He tended to ease back too often in Australia's first innings, and tactically he seemed a few steps off the pace, reacting slowly when adjusting fields and using his bowlers in the order shown on the mental list he carried onto the field. He was not helped by a deadish pitch and at least four important dropped catches. He missed two himself - one difficult, the other relatively straightforward.

Steve Waugh is in the attacking tradition set by three of those commentators – Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor – who were also outstanding captains. Twenty minutes or so before tea, Waugh brought on South Africa's bogeyman from past series, legspinner Shane Warne. The score was 0 for 2 (or 2 for 0, if you insist) and the new ball was only three overs old.

Waugh thinks "why not?" when Pollock wonders "why?"

Pollock was leading in the absence of a great bowler, Allan Donald, who might be past his best but whose record stamps him as a great. Apart from himself, Pollock had a swag of honest right-handers. Nantie Hayward is quick but rarely moves the ball, Makhaya Ntini is often loose, and Jacques Kallis was not quite at his best on a sluggish strip. Lance Klusener's inventive mediums will never rip through a quality batting line-up.

The South Africans are a strong team but any shortcomings in tactics or leadership could prove costly in this series. The Australians rarely waste an opportunity allowed by hesitant opponents. The now-mature Damien Martyn, with sensibly aggressive support from Shane Warne and Brett Lee, settled in to the slackened rhythm applied by Pollock and his bowlers today, and took Australia from 248 for 6 to 439 all out. Add the fact that Waugh won the toss and South Africa will bat last on a pitch that may well bounce unevenly later in the match. The visitors must play well tomorrow, the third day, when the pitch should be at its best for batting.

Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs certainly began well, as we would expect from such a formidable pair. But the Australians still enjoy the balance of power at the moment.

In a close series between two strong teams, with the tag of best in the world up for grabs, the best captain has the best chance of being in the winning team. It will be as fascinating a head-to-head contest as any in this series.

Mark Ray has covered Australian cricket since 1987 and is also the author of a number of books on the game.

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