Sydney Test, Day 1, Lunch
Wednesday, January 2, 2002

It looks to me like South Africa have run out of ideas. They don't seem to know quite what they're doing at the moment.

If you can't create trouble in the first half-hour here in Sydney, when everything's there for you, when are you going to do it? None of the bowlers has created much trouble for the Australians so far.

Shaun Pollock showed a little bit, but he didn't sustain it for long enough. It seemed a strange decision for Allan Donald to switch ends, after he started into the breeze, because the wind shifted. Maybe he has a preferred end here, or maybe the wind was swirling around the stadium at ground level a bit.

But Donald isn't really suited to this pitch. It's a bit on the slow side and won't give him, or Brett Lee, much assistance. Donald will have to work away at changing his pace and holding a good line.

There have already been a few mid-pitch meetings with Mark Boucher - he's been talked to by a lot of players. That's a negative sign, and an indication that the captain is down on confidence and that his players have lost a bit of confidence in him.

The South Africans just don't look happy. I thought they'd be better than this. The worst thing that happened for them was to lose the toss. That's taken so much energy out of them straightaway.

They've a pretty poor record on winning the toss at crucial times. They needed to win at least one this series but, unfortunately, it just hasn't gone their way.

Both teams are playing two spinners. I'm not sure whether Nicky Boje is good enough for this wicket. It's a slow turning pitch and, if he is a bit underdone, he could find the going pretty tough.

It remains to be seen which side has the best-quality spinners. I thought it was a great opportunity for Australia to play five bowlers - to move Gilchrist up to No. 6 and just cover that first-change bowling spot. They are 2-0 up - it could have been a good time to experiment with the bowling. If it's going to be hard work on a pitch, five bowlers should be used.

But already this is looking very much like a one-batter for Australia - get a big total and bowl the opposition out twice. Matthew Hayden looks in total command again. Justin Langer has been a bit iffy - but it's all running Australia's way.

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia. His comments will be appearing exclusively on Wisden.com after each session in this series. He was talking to Tim Stoney.

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