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

New Zealand aren't quite favourites, despite having runs on the board and wickets under their belt. As things stand they are better placed to drag a win from the game, but overall I still think a draw is the likely result. Ian Smith says that New Zealand will be content with a positive draw and a share of the series, and if that's the case then it would take something drastic for them to throw the match away now.

But Steve Waugh is clearly not settling for a draw. That much was obvious from the last session of play. It was enterprising and entertaining stuff from Australia, but also pretty dangerous as well. Ricky Ponting made a conscious decision to attack everything that came his way, and perhaps he needed to rein it in a touch. But the ball that got the wicket was there to be hit – if he'd middled it everyone would have said what a great shot it was. That's the trouble with decision-making – one error and it all goes wrong.

But Australia have got such strength in depth that they don't need to worry just yet. Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn will be able to slow the tempo later on in the innings if they need to, though it will have shaken up the middle order to be into the game after two overs, instead of the usual 90! New Zealand broke a bit of a hoodoo by getting the early wicket, after let-offs in Langer and Hayden's last partnerships. Langer's still there though, and no doubt he has his eyes on a fourth century in as many innings.

The first 20 overs are going to be crucial for New Zealand, and so far they have done their best. I'd say they have probably got another half-hour tomorrow, before the shine on the ball goes and they revert to being a rather stereotypical line-up.

There wasn't enough time this evening to judge Vettori's impact, though he will have to watch his line against Mark Waugh, who is great at whipping the straight delivery through the on side. Chris Martin was quite impressive, he almost got Waugh with one that leapt at his gloves, but he looks a bit one-dimensional. He is going to have to be ultra-disciplined later on if he is to have any impact.

From the game's point of view, the best scenario would be for Australia to bat out tomorrow, then be bowled out 100 runs behind on the fourth day. That way Fleming wouldn't have enough time to kill Australia off with a big target, and Waugh in turn would be caught in three minds. This game could still be set up rather nicely.

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
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Day 2, Lunch: Confidence breeds confidence

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