Melbourne Test, Day 2, Tea
Thursday, December 27, 2001

I don't think that 277 is enough. South Africa have really put themselves under the gun not just with the total, but with their slow batting.

They seem to bat themselves into a good position and then out of it. McKenzie would have been disappointed. He was spectating at that one from Lee rather than moving to it. And Boucher would be super-disappointed. He was probably the pick of all the batsmen today. His shot was needless. There were plenty of gaps he could have hit through - there was no need to try and hit the ball over the top.

If Australia can have a good 40 overs tonight they could find themselves only 100 or so behind.

I'm pretty sure they will attack Donald - they have to. They'll want to get at him really early. Donald will know that and he'll try and take it to them straight away. He'll be under big pressure, though - coming back after such a long lay-off, and not in good form. So much is expected of him - and if he doesn't perform the question is where do South Africa go from here?

Pollock will benefit from having Donald there, and from getting some runs today. The more pressure he can take off him the better. A bowling captain or a keeping captain has to be really well-prepared. It's harder to think on your feet as well as a captain who's more detached.

The Australian bowling wasn't bad on a pretty good batting pitch. I was pleased Andy Bichel got the final wicket - he deserved it. But Glenn McGrath was the pick of the bowlers.

Shane Warne is bowling more and more like a conventional legspinner. On the TV we dug out some figures from a few years ago when he was bowling at an average of 76kph, whereas nowadays he's up around 83kph. That's the difference - he's a much more defensive bowler now.

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 2, Lunch: SA didn't make the most of their luck
Day 1, Close: SA must get on with it

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