Brisbane Test, Day 4, Tea
Sunday, November 11, 2001

It's a real shame that the rain is back, because that was an enjoyable session. Everyone was looking forward to seeing Chris Cairns and Shane Warne resume their battle – they've had many over the years. In fact, everyone's looking forward to watching Cairns, full stop.

Cairns played the way he always does, although it's rare that he does it for as long as he should. Usually he's on top for five overs and then gets out. But he's a better player than that – he's skilful enough to bat for a whole day. Imagine the number of runs he'd score if he did! He could take the game away from Australia here if he really gets going.

It wasn't the ideal time for Warne to bowl – this is basically still a good batting pitch. But the advantage he gives his captain is he can do a job in the first innings and then spin a team out in the second. He'll probably try getting Cairns down the non-striker's end and bowling flat and straight to try and frustrate the other batsman. It won't be easy for him, but he'll cope.

It was a bit of a strange one from Steve Waugh. He was trying to have it both ways. He attacked by putting third man back for the top-edged cut shot, but then he also went defensive by blocking cover. So he took out the gaps and took the bait away from the batsmen. It was very un-Steve Waugh-like. He normally goes hard at the batsmen, especially when there's a follow-on on the cards. All very strange – and I don't think the bowlers really knew where they were supposed to bowl.

I'd question why he bowled Ricky Ponting as well. I guess he thought that Cairns might overhit at him and get out, but it was a surprising choice, especially as Jason Gillespie hadn't bowled since lunch so he was fresh. Maybe he hoped Ponting could do what Astle and McMillan did for New Zealand on the first day.

Brett Lee showed how he can bowl today. He built into his pace instead of going straight into full throttle, so he was able to build up a real head of steam. Also he had much better control over his line and length in that session. He's learnt a lot from the Ashes tour and he's been working on a few things which is good to see.

Glenn McGrath struggled for rhythm and never got the ball up there full enough. But there's no damage done and he'll straighten that out. In fact, it's not unusual for him to have a bad time in the first innings of a series and then settle down.

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia. His comments are appearing on Wisden.com at the end of every session of the Brisbane Test. He was talking to Camilla Rossiter.

More Ian Healy
Day 4, Lunch: Pick of the quicks
Day 3, Close: My money's on the Aussies - just

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