Hobart Test, Day 2, Close
Friday, November 23, 2001

New Zealand still couldn't get it right, even in this short session. They never gave up, and in fact they probably tried too hard to get Brett Lee out, instead of making him come to them. There was no attempt to bowl maidens and build pressure - Lee was able to lean back and carve the short balls over point for six, while Ponting just kept on driving and hooking away. New Zealand really have been ordinary in the field.

I guess Steve Waugh might have known the light wasn't good enough to start an innings, but it was a decent punt to take. If this match somehow comes down to the last 50 runs then he might have a few regrets, but I reckon Stephen could easily have declared sooner. There was nothing wrong with his timing though - nine overs with the new ball would have been very handy. If he'd been totally on the ball he'd have got Shane Warne warming up, and given him a few overs with, say, Damien Martyn or Ricky Ponting at the other end. Stephen was having a polite discussion with the umpires at the end, but he'll have realised his declaration was a gamble that didn't quite come off.

New Zealand should bat well on this track. The forecast is not good for the next couple of days, and a wet ball will make Australia's task that little bit more difficult. That said, because of the early starts for the next three days, the Test has lost barely an hour's play so far. It will be interesting to see whether New Zealand's top order have got what it takes. Matthew Bell and Mathew Sinclair in particular have got a lot to prove. For Australia Glenn McGrath will be the man to watch. He's struggled for a bit of rhythm lately, and I noticed him out there working on his run-up, trying to make sure he has a smooth approach to the stumps, and not jumping into them at the last second. He was outbowled by Lee and Gillespie at Brisbane, and I'm sure he'll be out to make a point.

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.

More Ian Healy
Day 2, Lunch: Australia aren't satisfied
Day 1, Close: NZ bowled 111 runs too badly

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