Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said that more players in the Test side are 'putting their hand up' since the upset Ashes defeat against England last year.
Speaking after a dramatic second Test victory in South Africa against the Proteas - where Australia bowled South Africa out for a 112-run win on a final day threatened by bad light in the final session - the world No.1 batsmen said that lessons were learnt on the England tour that have strengthened the side.
"We've looked at ourselves and looked at the team. We've identified areas where we can improve. We've got more coaching staff in place and we feel we're better prepared now for Test matches than we were before," Ponting said.
"More importantly we've got players putting their hands up, which was maybe lacking a bit in the Ashes."
The win at Kingsmead in Durban ensures Australia’s second consecutive Test series win over South Africa, after a 2-0 result from three matches during the summer.
Champion Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne proved the difference on the final day, as a determined Protea lower order looked likely to pull off an unlikely draw as they dug in during the final session.
As the natural light faded, the ground reverted to artificial light to allow the match to continue, as spinners Warne (6-46) and Andrew Symonds were required to bowl due to the poor visibility.
"(Warne) got the key wickets and they wouldn't have got through to the end without a world-class spinner. With the lights on, he was able to make a difference," South African skipper Graeme Smith said.
In relation to playing a Test match under lights with a red ball, the captains of both sides said that it was difficult to adjust to.
"It is so artificial. There's a different shine coming off the red ball," Ponting said
Smith said that the officiators need to look at whether the use of artificial lights is appropriate in the five-day match format.
"It is tough. You could see the glare on the ball there tonight. At some point they (the umpires) have to judge whether it's a day-night game or a Test match."
