Melbourne Test, Day 4
Sunday, December 29, 2002

That was a gallant batting performance from England today. I don't think they've got quite enough runs - you wouldn't put too much money on them knocking Australia over tomorrow, because they just don't have the bowling - but to prolong the match two hours or so into the fifth day is a lot better than the recent past.

I thought Michael Vaughan's innings was simply excellent, definitely the most impressive England hundred against Australia for a long, long time. He wasn't in great form in Perth - I think he was struggling with that shoulder injury - and it's very impressive the way he has bounced back into good form. Not many people have done that against this Australian side.

Robert Key batted well, too. He has something about him. He sat back and learned a little from Vaughan today, but he wasn't afraid to play his shots either. It was disappointing for him to get out like that just after the drinks interval, to the new ball.

It wasn't the greatest bowling performance from Australia. They didn't really come out with all guns firing, as I'd predicted last night. McGrath went off late on with a spot of back trouble, and I think Gillespie with struggling a bit too, possibly a groin injury there. That left a lot of work for MacGill and Lee, and they were the more expensive bowlers anyway.

I was surprised there wasn't more rotation of the bowlers - Steve Waugh had a couple of overs and that was it, there was nothing out of the box. But just as with Gillespie in the first innings I was pleased to see Stuart MacGill strike back at the end to finish with five wickets, to give him something to show for all that effort in the match.

MacGill still hasn't got the same ability as Shane Warne - the way Warne holds the batsmen down, with great command of line and length over long periods - but this was a good effort despite the odd loose ball.

Having said that the bowling wasn't quite there I have to say that the Australians' catching and fielding were exceptional, and the general effort was fantastic. There was no evidence of a drop-off because they had won the series, and the end result should be 4-0 around lunchtime tomorrow.

Ian Healy, who kept wicket for Australia in six winning Ashes series, will be providing his Expert View at the end of each day's play in the Tests. He was talking to Steven Lynch.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd