Gladiator chat couldn't get us home

I saw Jonty Rhodes at the practice session the day before the first VB Series final and both of us thanked one another for helping each other get to the final.

We both commented how bizarre the situation was, and really how ridiculous the fact that SA went into a game happy to lose to Aussie.

The powers that be need to rethink that one for sure and with a reported $1.5 million loss of revenue because of Aussie not making the finals then it has turned out to be a costly experiment.

Our lead-up to the game was boosted by Martin Crowe coming over to help with our preparation. Flem [captain Stephen Fleming] really values Martin's input and with our recent record against SA it was felt some expert thinking and planning may well help us.

Before our team meeting on the eve of the first final we went to a private screening of A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe's new movie.

We were very well looked after and had a great surprise when at the end of the movie Russell came in and we were able to talk about all sorts of Hollywood goings on and what his upcoming movies were.

It was a real highlight of the tour and a privilege to talk to a man currently at the top of his profession and who no doubt will be there for some time yet.

After four games chasing targets it was great to see Flem win the toss and for us to go up front and get runs on the board then to put pressure on the SA's.

After a couple of wickets were lost Flem and Macca [Craig McMillan] put together a great foundation for us to launch from. Unfortunately, some ill-disciplined shots from our normally sound middle-order meant that we finished at least 30 runs too short.

We said that 220 would be competitive and at half-time we knew early wickets could give us a chance as we had defended 200 in our first game agaist Aussie. At 50/2 we were still in it and we had a confident appeal turned down against Boeta Dippenaar.

He went on to play very well but, once again, it was the momentum that was lost if we had have got that decision in our favour.

I was cited after the game for my actions after the appeal being turned down. I am not allowed to comment on the hearing but I am glad to say that commonsense prevailed and my thanks goes to Dippenaar who was also at the hearing and revealed that he thought nothing of the situation.

Jacques Kallis continued his good form and combined with Dippenaar to bat us out of the game and both played well but with the low score we were never really able to build any pressure.

So to Sydney and the weather here looks like it may play a part.

The wicket will be sporty and will mean that no matter what the target is the team batting second will have to play well. The quick turnaround in this next game will mean we have to stay up mentally and make sure we force this series into the third final on Sunday.