Perth Test, Day 5, Close
Tuesday, December 4, 2001

That was a great finish, quite where it came from I'm not sure even Adam Gilchrist knew! Steve Waugh for one didn't seem to realise what was going on, though he got in on the act towards the end with one or two big hits. Stephen Fleming would have been really happy to see Gilchrist playing his shots ... for about an over. By the time he had taken 33 runs from two overs Fleming was looking genuinely concerned.

If Waugh and Shane Warne hadn't been run out I'm pretty convinced Australia would have won it. Once you're in on this pitch it is really hard for anyone to control your scoring, and the New Zealanders simply didn't have any answers. They were far too respectful to Warne after his first innings and kept giving him singles, which I couldn't understand, especially as it got Gilchrist down to the other end.

But Gilchrist's innings was awesome. At first it looked like he was only doing enough to survive, but then something just snapped. He played one shot over the slips for four, which looked rash, but then he went and launched one over cover! But the fact is, Australia slowed down at the end and still only finished 60 runs short. That makes the indecision of the first session all the more glaring. Mind you, Daniel Vettori might have been a factor. He'd been too creative for the Australians in the earlier sessions, but he visibly tired after tea. His turn became too predictable, and he didn't vary it much by widening his angle or going round the wicket.

New Zealand were hard done by with a few of the decisions, especially from umpire Robinson, and there are a few questions flying about from some of the Kiwi journalists. They are wondering why a Zimbabwean umpire has to be on the world stage, when there are better-qualified guys from other countries who can't make their national panels.

Steve Waugh got lucky with one of those decisions, but he'll be more than happy with his time in the middle. Most importantly he's got his defence in order, which in turn allowed him to attack towards the end. His back knee was bending in that characteristic way and his head was right over the ball.

Now that they've got the draw, I can't imagine there'll be any changes for the South Africa series. There shouldn't be. They lose once in a blue moon, and everyone in the order is a matchwinner. Still, this outcome can only favour the South Africans. A loss here would have been a far bigger kick in the pants for Australia. That's what happened in England after the India series. England didn't help their cause by getting too cocky - "Bring on the Aussies" and all that. But a draw will disguise any insecurities there may be in the Aussie camp. South Africa should play on that as much as possible - butter the Aussies up, paint themselves as the underdogs. On paper Australia are just too strong, but now I'm not so sure. It should be a very even series.

New Zealand will take a lot of heart and self-belief from this series. Even at the end there they were holding themselves differently in the field - heads high, a bit of a swagger. The most important thing they can do from here is work on their stamina and overall fitness, especially the opening bowlers. That way Chris Cairns will be able to slot in at first change, with the option of opening, which I think is his natural role. But there have been some huge plus points on this tour. Shane Bond and Chris Martin impressed us all, and Lou Vincent is a great find.

Australia still have a marginal lead in the ICC Test Championship, which they will be happy about. It isn't super-meaningful just yet, but people are taking notice of it, and I'm certain it influenced the decisions in this series. The format is a bit meandering, and it is pure chance that the top two teams are meeting this year. And that's the disappointing thing - there's no final! Instead of a random contest every five years or so, there ought to be a final every year. Of course it would be a logistic nightmare, but I'm sure it would be an improvement.

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia. His comments appeared on Wisden.com at the end of every session in the series. He was talking to Andrew Miller.

More Ian Healy
Day 5, Tea: Australia haven't got it together
Day 5, Lunch: Game over

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd