Headingley Test, Day 4, Tea
Sunday, August 19, 2001

I know I said I wanted some rain, but this is a little too much! Now I'd like to see some play. If there's any more action today, I don't believe Australia will declare. Adam Gilchrist will look at how many overs are left, taking into account the weather, and calculate how much time Australia have to bat or bowl tonight. Then I reckon the batsmen will have a bit of a slog for five or ten overs, and let their bowlers have a go at England this evening. But even if the rain stops, we could lose overs for bad light. And if Australia decide to put England in, I think the umpires would offer the light – and obviously England would go off.

If we don't get any more play tonight, I think Australia will cut their losses and declare in the morning. The thought of being the first Australian side since 1921 to win an Ashes series 5-0 will really be motivating them. They'll go all out for a win tomorrow.

It's still not easy batting out there, so even with the time already lost in the game, a positive result is definitely on the cards. Australia's attack is so strong and so varied, that England are going to have to bat really well to survive. Also, I'd back Shane Warne to bowl a lot better in that type of situation than he did in the first innings. Gilchrist will probably have him operating from one end and use the three quicks in bursts at the other.

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia, and was on the winning side in the last six Ashes series. His comments will appear on Wisden.com at the end of every session for the rest of the series. He was talking to Camilla Rossiter

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