By Justin Langer Australian Test batsman

Clarke took to Test cricket like a duck to water

From the moment Adam Gilchrist won the toss on day one we seemed to be in control of the first Test against India in Bangalore.

Barring a few tense periods of play, we played almost the perfect match, with everyone in the team playing a part in the final result.

Debutant Michael Clarke could only have dreamed of such a successful first outing in the baggy green cap.

His first-innings century was pure class, with his feet moving like a tap dancer's against India's world-class spinners.

Although he was understandably nervous going into his first Test, his performance was incredible.

He watched the ball very closely off India's two let-arm quicks and he used the crease spectacularly well against Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

It goes without saying that Clarke has set the scene for what promises to be an outstanding career.

If we implement the same game plan during the second Test there is no reason why we can't be 2-0 up in one week's time

Having had the dubious honour of facing the first ball of the match, the experience was something from out of this world.

The first ball of the first Test in Bangalore is something I will remember for the rest of my days - the noise from the excited Bangalore crowd was unbelievable.

As Irfan Pathan ran into bowl, it was like standing in the middle of the pitch with a pair of head phones on my ears.

From these head phones blasted the loudest imaginable noise into my ear drums, creating a simply unbelievable and surreal feeling.

It was as if I was batting in a very noisy vacuum where it was impossible to hear myself think, let alone the calls of my opening partner Matty Hayden or even the secure clunk of the ball hitting the willow of my bat.

Langer will remember batting at Bangalore for the rest of his life

While a lot has been made of our fortune in winning the toss, the fact remains you still have to execute your plans and skills to make the most of any perceived advantage.

Thankfully for us, Clarke, Simon Katich and Adam Gilchrist, who once again cemented his name into the history books as one of the great players of the modern game, were able to guide us to a massive first-innings total.

When it came our turn to bowl, the deteriorating playing surface must have introduced some demons into the minds of India's batsmen.

Led by Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, we were able to apply suffocating pressure.

Despite a typically determined knock from Rahul Dravid, we kept to our game plan of patience and discipline and the rewards finally came after lunch on the fifth day.

With the second Test starting in just three days, Sunday's celebration, as fun as it was, is now over as we look forward to Chennai and the next round of this intriguing fight of the heavyweights.

Whatever happens next week, the first Test is secure in our grasp and that can never be taken away from us.

If we can implement the same game plan and intensity during the second Test then there is no reason why we can't be 2-0 up in one week's time.