Melbourne Test, Day 3, Tea
Friday, December 28, 2001

South Africa will be a bit more pleased with that session, but it just shows how hard it is to get on top of this Australian team. Even though Mark and Steve Waugh were jumping around, they kept scoring at such a fast rate.

Allan Donald looked better. His body language was good, he was running up to the crease a bit quicker, and he bowled more aggressively, after he had two catches dropped. The test for him, and of a bowler who wants to be a leader in this team, is how he comes back later today.

They seemed to know how they wanted to bowl to the Waughs. They like to dig it in really short and get them jumping. But you can't detect a serious plan to the rest of the batsmen.

But they've been very drifty to the others. Damien Martyn has just stayed under the radar since he came in - they don't seem to know where to bowl to him.

South Africa must have done their preparation - they have all sorts of coaches. If it's not done before the game then it should be. My impression is that they are just not executing their bowling plans properly.

I've got no idea why Nantie Hayward was taken off after lunch. I was impressed with him - he had Steve Waugh juumping all around the place. If he can't get through six overs either side of lunch you have to wonder ... you surely could squeeze one or two more out of him.

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia. His comments will be appearing exclusively on Wisden.com after each session in this series. He was talking to Tim Stoney.

More Ian Healy
Day 3, Lunch: 'His strokeplay was fantastic'
Day 2, Close: Back your bowlers, Shaun

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