Nielsen confident as Oz hold edge

by S M March 02, 2009

"We're not even thinking of not winning at the moment," said Australia coach Tim Nielsen.

"I can't see anything but us winning this game.

"I'm really excited at the fact that this young team have got themselves in a position to win a Test match on day five.

"We've seen a little bit of inconsistency today, but if we can get back to playing good strong cricket tomorrow, we're right in the driving seat. So I'm really proud of the kids and backing us to get the other eight wickets tomorrow."

He added: "It does probably cross the mind. But I think more importantly, we were a bit frustrated that we weren't able to bowl as we had in the first innings especially.

"Throughout this second innings, every time we created any bit of pressure, we've had one or two overs that have cost us eight or nine or 10 and the South Africans have felt that they were back in control a bit more.

"So that's the challenge for us tomorrow - to bowl 98 overs of really good, consistent and hard Test cricket and I reckon if we do that we'll create eight chances for less than 280 runs and give ourselves a good chance of winning."

South Africa spinner Paul Harris said: "Obviously we've got a lot of confidence from that to draw on. But there's a few more runs to get tomorrow than there were in Perth. But hopefully these two (Hashim Amla, 43 not out and Jacques Kallis, 26no) can dig in and we can create a little bit of history.

"I think Perth was a lot flatter than this one. I think there's quite a lot more in this wicket than there was in that one. But we'll have to play really, really well, because history is against us. But if there's a group of guys that can do it, then I think these are ones to do it."

Harris said: "I think that the second new ball will probably end up being key. If we can get through the second new ball without any damage then I think we've got a good chance.

"I think the wicket is playing a lot better in this innings than we thought it would. It's actually played quite well. So, you never know.

"Hopefully Jacques can pull through and get us a big hundred and no one likes batting more than Hashim Amla, so let's hope they can stick it in there."