Hobart Test, Day 3, Close
Saturday, November 24, 2001

That was a pretty spectacular rainstorm - it swept in across the Derwent River and wiped out the afternoon's play after just ten overs. But it's left the match situation quite interesting, and if New Zealand manage to get past the follow-on tomorrow, we could yet see a repeat of Brisbane, where a dead match was brought back to life by a double declaration. With only one game to come there's bound to be more at stake this time, but Steve Waugh knows how important it is for Test cricket to be entertaining. I'd like to think he'd go for it again if the situation arose.

But Australia's task tomorrow is to keep New Zealand well away from that follow-on total. They'll do that by bowling just as they did today – by being patient and by keeping it tight. Gillespie and McGrath showed great rhythm and control, and though they didn't take many wickets, New Zealand could only manage 71 runs in 35 overs. Keep that up over a full day's play – and the forecast tomorrow is apparently much better – and you're in business.

That pair were blunted well by Bell in the morning session, but the early use of Warne was a good move from Steve Waugh. Bell had been happy when the ball was coming onto the bat and doing the work for him, but he was unable to judge the bounce from Warne, and under-edged an attacking shot onto his pads. Mathew Sinclair just got a jaffa first up after lunch. But this is a great batting track, Richardson and Fleming are going well – there's no reason why New Zealand can't save the follow-on tomorrow.

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 3, Lunch: Ugly but effective
Day 2, Close: A gamble on the weather

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