Adelaide Test, Day 3, Lunch
Sunday, December 16, 2001

It's been a great morning for Glenn McGrath. He said he was going to have to be patient and build up pressure, and that's what he's done. He's got the ball reversing now, he's starting to put the ball in the right spot and bowling with some real fire.

I was a little surprised with Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie opening up today. There's quite possibly been a bit of a shift in the Australian side from McGrath as the main strike bowler, but he's definitely got the momentum back this morning.

Shane Warne was a bit disappointing, to my mind. He's just not bowling well. He should be turning the ball a long way, and more often, but his arm is very low - he's almost bowling round-arm, and not getting the trajectory above the batsmen's eyes, which he needs to do.

I'd like to see him slow down a bit, get a bit higher and get a bit more side-spin on the ball.

I was really impressed with Herschelle Gibbs, especially with the way he played Warne. He was relaxed and confident, and picked the right balls to hit. He's really come of age as a Test cricketer this year.

He had a bit of brain-fade when he charged Warnie, but he used to have that at about 20, so it's good it's coming later on now. Warne had just come around the wicket and I think he was trying to really knock him off.

It was a stunning piece of keeping from Adam Gilchrist, though. With a ball like that you're unsighted from about halfway down the pitch. He had to stay low and keep his gloves relaxed. It's little better than hit-or-miss, and it's very easy to miss - you have to trust your instincts.

If South Africa can get out of this with a draw they will be really happy. Their play doesn't suggest they are relaxed at all. They're probably putting too much pressure on themselves, and tensing up at crucial moments.

The Australians are certainly the ones who are cool-headed when the crunch comes. They appear to have more succes at the crucial moments, and haven't made any real mistakes yet.

It's starting to look like Australia are really up for this match. The South Africans are so desperate to play well against Australia - they want to beat them so much and prove themselves - that they are tensing up at the important moments.

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 Tim Stoney.

More Ian Healy

Day 2, Close: Ponting's catch made the difference

Day 2, Tea: Warne's the key

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