By Justin Langer Australia Test batsman

It was a historic moment in Australian sport when Cathy Freeman, the world 400 metre champion, finished her gold medal run in the Olympic final six years ago.

Some of the older crew sat back proud and fulfilled, pondering the future and enjoying the fruits of a job very well done

She crossed the finishing line and then crouched down onto her knees with the most extraordinary expression painted across her face.

Her initial emotion didn't seem to be of jubilation or exhilaration but rather of sheer relief. She just sat on the track like a little girl relieved at having passed the ultimate test.

On Monday, I could identify with her reaction.

When Shane Warne bowled Monty Panesar with another perfect leg-spinner my initial response was to jump around, dance and sing and rejoice.

But, after a couple of seconds all I really wanted to do was sit down in the middle of the Waca and reflect on what had just occurred.

Physically I was tired, mentally I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was simply crouch down and take it all in.

The Australian sections of the crowd were going berserk, my team-mates were running to all corners to soak up the adulation.

The cameras were rolling and looking for a few spontaneous quotes and the spirit of cricket was drifting gleefully through the air.

In our changing room the mood was a mixture of raw emotion and genuine reflection.

Most of the younger generation took in the party atmosphere.

From that moment when Gilly went past 100, we knew the game would be ours if we were willing to put in another day of so of really hard work

Some of the older crew, or "Dad's Army" as we have been recently described, sat back proud and fulfilled, pondering the future and enjoying the fruits of a job very well done.

Once again we had to come back from behind in the Test. After the first day and having been bowled out for 244, England should have been right in the box seat.

We knew we were under the pump after a poor first innings showing but, thanks to another outstanding team performance in the field, we were able to claw the game back.

When it came our turn to bat again, the game was still well and truly up for grabs.

But thanks to a remarkable performance from Matty Hayden, Ricky, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey and Adam Gilchrist we were able put the match out of England's reach.

Gilly's innings was so devastating that the others almost paled into insignificance.

At the end of our vice-captain's onslaught Haydos turned to me and said, "Did that actually just happen? I can't believe what I have just seen."

Imagine, if his team-mates couldn't believe it, how England must have felt!

I have thought about this moment since 12 September last year, when England lifted the Ashes urn at The Oval

From that moment when Gilly went past 100, we knew the game would be ours if we were willing to put in another day of so of really hard work.

And, to the credit of all of my team mates, we fought and fought against a stubborn England outfit to finally come out triumphant four and a half sessions of cricket later.

The obvious question is how do I feel now?

Well, the answer to that is, that besides being a little hung-over, I feel incredibly satisfied and fulfilled.

I have thought about this moment since 12 September last year, when England lifted the Ashes urn at The Oval.

We have worked hard, prepared meticulously and urged each other through boot camps and other Test series so that we would be ready to reclaim the Ashes from England.

Now the job is done I feel absolutely thrilled and in a few days time I will start preparing for round four in front of 100,000 people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It just doesn't get much better than that.

From Perth,
JL