Adelaide Test, Day 4, Lunch
Monday, December 17, 2001

That was a good session for Australia. They scored at a good rate, and were able to maintain wickets in hand.

There's a big difference between setting a target and having to chase one tomorrow. It's a huge freedom for Australia today, they can look at every shooter and know they've got wickets in hand. They're trying to post a total, but getting that is going to be harder.

The South Africans will look at every one of those shooters, though, and they'll get a shiver because there'll be more of them tomorrow. It's much harder to bat with the same freedom when you're chasing.

Matthew Hayden has batted beautifully today. He's been aggressive and played his shots. And Mark Waugh's looked a little bit more awake right from the word go today. It's a tough wicket to come in on when there's some pressure on your job. Anyone who's made runs in this match has taken time getting themselves in. Mark hasn't got that today but he's gone for his shots.

Claude Henderson hasn't bowled as well today he as did in the first innings. He needs to chop and change a bit from over to round the wicket, and keep his control. In a situation like this inexperience can become obvious, and so far he hasn't done a lot.

South Africa didn't bowl well enough in that session. I was a bit surprised Shaun Pollock took himself off so early, and even more that Lance Klusener hasn't been used. I would have had him on before Makhaya Ntini - there has to be something astray there.

This situation has got to be one of the hardest times to captain in. Pollock won't want to give away too many runs, so he has to sacrifice some of his catchers. He has to be careful with that balance.

Another session of three-and-a-half runs an over will put Australia in the safety zone. Probably 270 is almost ungettable on this pitch.

It's really going to be a game of survival for South Africa chasing a total like that. I think Australia will look to get them in with an hour or so at them tonight. The longer they have to survive the better for Australia.

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 Tim Stoney.

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