By Justin Langer Australian Test batsman in Brisbane

While there was enormous fanfare, speculation and even controversy surrounding our captain 'Tugga' Waugh during the first Test against a very talented and hungry Indian team, the game was something of an old fashioned tug-of-war in itself.

A mixed match for your truly with scores of 121 and nought

Heavy, persistent rain interrupted much of the game but when we did get out onto the field, solid blows were landed by both teams, leaving an even points decision at the final bell.

Throughout the five days, the scale of ascendancy fluctuated, due mainly to some outstanding batting by a couple of individuals.

On a pitch that started out as green and bowler friendly, India would have been disappointed not to make the most of winning the toss and making inroads into our top order.

Batting early on day one was hard work and if India were to be critical of themselves they would probably concede that its initial inconsistency with the ball let us off the hook.

Winning the first session and then the first day of a Test series is always high on our list of priorities.

From a personal point of view, I was elated to score a century against India.

There has been so much made of this series, with the retirement of Steve Waugh and the huge battle the teams had against each other two years ago in India, that I had set myself to start this series with all cylinders pumping.

On Thursday night it would be fair to say I was feeling on top of the world with the team in a strong position and a Test century under my belt.

Cricket though is a great leveller. Take your eye off the ball for one second and the game will bring you straight back to earth.

Contrary to many expectations, India fought back like wounded Bengal tigers on day two. Admittedly the conditions favoured bowlers as much as I have seen in Test cricket, but the lights and dampened pitch helped India skittle our next eight wickets for less runs than we had hoped.

Zaheer Khan is a very good opening bowler

After we had dismissed their openers, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid reasonably cheaply, it felt like the momentum was again shifting back our way.

Unfortunately Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and our nemesis VVS Laxman had different feelings on that matter, as they pummelled our attack on a rapidly improving batting surface.

Sourav's century was brilliant as he fearlessly took on our bowlers like you might expect from a determined leader; while Laxman went about his business like we have seen a couple of times before.

With India leading by 90 runs on the first innings, the game seemed destined for a draw unless they were able to take early wickets and put us under some sort of pressure on the last day.

One early wicket fell for a duck - as I said before, the game has a way of bringing one back to earth.

But, then it was Matty Hayden and Ricky Ponting's turn to smash the ball to all parts of the Gabba. It was pure entertainment for any cricket lover.

Although he fell one run short of yet another Test century, Matt's innings was magic to watch. So powerful was his onslaught, we were able to reverse the match situation to a point where Stephen was able to declare with 24 overs left to play.

Most were surprised by this decision, but then nothing should ever be a surprise with Steve Waugh's captaincy.

Two early Indian wickets set the scene for a miracle victory, but this didn't happen and all things considered the resulting draw was probably a fair indication of the intense struggle that occurred during this first Test of the series.

The arm wrestling has just begun and if the last five days is anything to go by, this series could turn into a memorable one.