Melbourne Test, Day 4, Lunch
Saturday, December 29, 2001

Once again the key to this South African batting line-up was their openers. Gibbs and Kirsten really needed to kick-start this innings and you could see that was what Gibbs, for one, was trying to do.

His technique wasn't in the groove, though. He was a bit unlucky - he fell to a risky shot, but a risk he maybe had to take.

South Africa look to me to be playing an unnatural game. They've tried to have it both ways - to grind it out in the first innings, which was what Kallis was doing. And that might have worked if he hadn't been unlucky.

Today the South Africans have been much more aggressive in their approach. They just haven't found the middle ground with their game at this stage.

Kallis and maybe Neil McKenzie were the only ones who looked comfortable and played more naturally. Kallis started slower at Adelaide, but he's been more aggressive today.

On this great pitch it's pretty simple - you just have to play each ball on its merits. But South Africa have looked unsettled right from the start.

The Australians are just hanging in there. They know they only need three or four wickets a session. They can bowl in short bursts, tighten up if they need to, and take their time.

The heat may be a factor today. It will be interesting to see how the Australians handle it going into the last hour. If South Africa can put together a partnership it will be a long day out there.

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, Close: 'A tale of two innings'
Day 3, Tea: Plan? What plan?

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