Perth Test, Day 4, Tea
Monday, December 3, 2001

You could tell New Zealand meant business when Chris Cairns came out at No. 4, and he has played seriously well. His runs have come quickly, but he's been patient as well, especially against Warne. He's had his front foot right there, and he's been bringing his back leg round to cover the extra drift and spin that Warnie's got in this innings. And against the seamers he has been murderous. Glenn McGrath was smacked for two sixes, one over midwicket, the other straight over his head, and you don't see that very often.

Sinclair must have been glad to get off the park after a scratchy innings. Having Cairns at the other end will have made him very aware of his slow rate, and he only added to the pressure by running Mark Richardson out. Fleming too had his problems. He came up against a good spell from Shane Warne, and he had to defend 20 balls for his 4 runs before having a rush of blood. But Nathan Astle, he's come out hitting the ball as if he'd never been off the park after that first innings 150. Cuts, hooks, quicks, spin – there's no discrimination. Everything must go!

Once again, the seamers haven't been bad, but they cannot make any impact. There's never any width to be had, but they are either bowling too short or too full. But nothing they can come up is causing the Kiwis any ripple of nerves.

Steve Waugh has been forced completely onto the defensive. He's been run-saving all day, but even that hasn't worked. The fast men have occasionally created a catchable chance, but there's nobody left to take advantage. But the speed of the runs proves what a fast outfield this is – 200 runs have come without many big shots - and that will temper the Kiwis enthusiasm a fraction.

But it's not much more than a glimmer of hope for Australia – Stephen Fleming has the resources to stretch them. They will look at an hour of bowling before the close, and it won't matter to them how expensive it is. In the first innings Australia got off to a flyer, but lost two important wickets along the way. New Zealand know they have got one effort day ahead of them, and then their tour is over. Vettori at one end is a given, while the others can be bowled in long spells, short spells, whatever. Fleming holds the whip hand now.

Australia, of course will fancy themselves, but when two or three wickets have fallen, then we'll see their preservation skills. They do not have a great record when it comes to saving matches. They've won from impossible positions, as at Hobart two years ago, but they've lost a few as well. It's a tough ask.

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia. His comments will be appearing on Wisden.com at the end of every session in the series. He was talking to Andrew Miller.

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