Perth Test, Day 2, Tea
Saturday, December 1, 2001

That was a tight old session, even though Australia didn't get the breakthrough. Once again, Astle and Parore proved what a good pitch it is, and they did what was required. They got into the session, and when the bowling was at its tightest they refused to get flustered. It's been a really good effort by this pair.

I was just talking to my colleague Ian Chappell, and he agrees that Australia haven't played at all badly. Waugh and his bowlers have kept a patient line throughout, and it could just be that the wicket is unbearably good. He hasn't tempted them to play any risky shots yet – Astle in particular has threaded the gaps in the field that he has been left. Patience it seems hasn't worked, so it might be time to mix it up a bit.

New Zealand go to tea with an unexpected dilemma – if and when to declare? It's going to be a delicate balancing act in this final session. They aren't there yet, but New Zealand will have one eye on getting quick runs, and another on Australia's batting line-up. They would dearly love to be in a position to declare, but even now they aren't quite safe. I reckon they will test the water as they have done in each session, then look to play a few shots come what may, and perhaps give Australia the last hour of the day.

Australia's confidence is so high that they won't be up against it until the last day, and New Zealand won't be happy unless they can get Australia chasing 250-plus. It is all shaping up to be a fantastic match. New Zealand will bowl better with 500 runs behind them, and it should be fascinating give-and-take cricket for the next few days.

Those first 15-20 overs of Australia's reply will be crucial. Australia will need to get off to a flier if they are to challenge this total, and New Zealand would do well to bowl one side of the wicket, a touch wide if needs be, to force them to chase the ball and take the risks. Make no mistake – New Zealand have the whip hand.

As at Brisbane and at Hobart, Daniel Vettori is going to be the key for the Kiwis. The whole balance of the attack is in trouble if he goes in for a bit of early hammer, but if he can settle into his rhythm – get a bit of turn, drift and bounce then the seamers will be able to rotate downwind. Shane Bond should get something extra from this wicket – he's like Lee in that he prefers to dig it in, and with plenty of runs behind him he could be a handful. Martin fancies himself against the left-handers, which will make for an interesting contest, while Chris Cairns has something of a point to prove. He's been either too full or too short for much of this series.

The quest for ICC Championship points makes this match all the spicier. New Zealand, I imagine, will be more content than Australia to settle for a draw, but how much more content? And Australia will lose their No.1 mantle if they lose here. Everyone knows how much the Aussies love being the best. It could be an overriding factor in the course of this match.

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.

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