Sydney Test, Day 3
Saturday, January 4, 2003

We've been at this stage of a series before, when Australia are a bit on the wane and England are really motivated, but this time Warne and McGrath are out of the equation and that is a big factor that England have taken advantage of.

It shouldn't be a sign of the future – but it's good experience. Australia have to learn to adapt quickly for the time when Warne and McGrath are no longer in tandem. As we have seen throughout this match, no-one has been keeping it tight at one end for McGill, and that has to improve.

Australia's motivation should be fine – they've got the whitewash to drive them – but their energy has been down a bit, and Jason Gillespie looks to be struggling for fitness. Not even Australia can afford to lose Warne and McGrath and then have a breakdown as well. He was really battling in the second innings today.

Australia are on the back foot despite two magnificent centuries from Adam Gilchrist and Steve Waugh, which just goes to show what an impact good bowling can have. They've had that luxury for ten years now, but now Australia might require two more, even better, hundreds in the second innings, and maybe not even to win the match.

Gilchrist, however, was outstanding. It was amazing that he was able to keep that momentum from yesterday, especially as England did not bowl badly at him. He was looking to hit everything, and in the end Nasser Hussain decided just to lock up the field and run a ring round the boundary.

England drifted a touch while Gillespie was in his survival mode, but I reckon they were always going to be content with even money on the first innings. It wasn't always pretty, but it was patient, and so far, it seems to have been the right approach.

I have been amazed by the reaction to Steve Waugh's century – it is the biggest thing to have happened to Australian cricket for a long, long time. Waugh told his team to forget it, as they had three big days ahead of them, but not even he could detach himself from the emotion of the occasion. Except for Gilchrist, Australia were a big let-down with the bat, the ball and in the field today.

As for Michael Vaughan … throughout the series he has been absolutely awesome to watch. Mike Atherton simply cannot believe his vein of form. He is making batting look very, very easy, and is simply mocking the best attack in the world. He has led from the front and dragged a good effort out of his team-mates.

Hussain went through a rough patch, but he and Vaughan combined well. Butcher's intentions were good, while Trescothick continued to tread a fine line between the sort of form that Vaughan is in, and the type of series he's had. He'll know in his own mind that, when Australia tour in 2005, the odd technical tweak here and there, and he'll be ready to come into his own.

Partnerships are now the key for England. Not necessarily 200s, but 50s and 80s, until they have an unassailable lead. They need at least another 130, preferably more, and if they declare by tea, they'll have four sessions to protect something in the region of 400. That would be great going on a wearing pitch.

Australia do have a let-off clause. They are going for the whitewash, so there is no added pressure to save the match if it means going for their shots to try to win it. But if England can reach that 400-plus mark, and let rip after tea, I really don't think Australia can do it.

Ian Healy, who kept wicket for Australia in six winning Ashes series, will be providing his Expert View at the end of each day's play in the Tests. He was talking to Andrew Miller.

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