Steve Waugh reconfirmed his belief in his side after Australia completed an eight-wicket rout of South Africa inside 19 overs at Sydney. "Nothing has changed," he said. "We've got faith in our players and faith in the way we play the game. "We're playing better cricket. There's no hiding from the fact we weren't playing well, but things have turned around - and that happens in one-day cricket."

Waugh had appealed for calm after Australia had lost their first three matches of the VB Series, and he was also quick to defend his brother Mark, who was lucky to keep his place after Matthew Hayden was dropped from the squad.

"He's a quality player and quality players respond to pressure situations," said Waugh of his brother, who scored a quickfire 55 not out to seal the victory.

"I had no doubt Mark would come through and it's nice that he got some runs tonight."

South African captain Shaun Pollock was gracious in defeat, and refused to pin the blame on the itinerary, which has required his side to play three matches in four days.

"You can't analyse too much into it," said Pollock, adding that the result was an aberration. "There's no hiding from the fact that playing three one-day internationals in four days is hard work - but that's not the reason for what happened out there today."

South African fast bowler Steve Elworthy was sent to hospital for scans after he was struck on the temple by a bouncer from Glenn McGrath, but he suffered no serious injury.

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