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Last Updated: Sunday, 31 October, 2004, 09:16 GMT
Camaraderie and confidence
Justin Langer writes for BBC Sport
By Justin Langer
Australian Test batsman

Lehmann, Langer and Gilchrist
Every member of the team has contributed to a historic victory
Besides winning an Ashes series, this is as good as it gets for an Australian Test cricketer.

Beating India in India has been understandably billed as the "final frontier" for this team.

Over the last five or so years we have achieved everything there is to achieve in international cricket, except a series win on Indian soil.

It is something we have been working towards since VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid defied the odds in Calcutta three years ago to rob us of a series we thought was ours.

And Friday's events in Nagpur could not have been a more emphatic climax.

The third Test wasn't won by one or two brilliant individual performances but rather by a collective unit of players who all contributed.

It is difficult to define the camaraderie and confidence within our team but I am certain it is one of the defining factors in our consistent success.

Every time we are under any type of pressure someone seems to put his hand up and take on the responsibility to make a difference for the team.

So much has gone into this result the feeling of satisfaction is unbelievable
From the 11 players on the field, to the bench players, to the support staff, everyone seems to be heading in the same direction.

Considering players like our captain Ricky Ponting are still to come back in, that confidence and belief in what can be achieved is inspiring.

It would be fair to say we were amazed to see a pitch resembling the Gabba, or even Headingley, when we arrived in Nagpur a week ago.

There was such an even covering of green grass on the surface that we were sure the groundsman would shave it all off before the start of the match.

But to his credit he stuck to his early promise that he would produce a surface that would suit every aspect of the game.

Batting was hard work against the new ball, but our results showed that the short and fast outfield could still produce big scores.

Damien Martyn continued his sublime form in the subcontinent with two magnificent innings that exuded class and enormous self-belief.

Damien Martyn
Martyn played two magnificent innings in Nagpur
He and his little mate Michael Clarke played as exciting and entertaining Test cricket as you could ever hope to see.

Friday morning's batting was at times breathtaking as they ripped the hearts out of India's bowling and hopes for a comeback.

Such was their dominance that you could almost see the look of despair on the Indians faces when they came out to bat after lunch.

With our fast bowlers in ominous form on a pace friendly pitch, India were always going to struggle, but we could never have hoped for a capitulation like we witnessed.

I have never had so much fun on a cricket field as our dreams were quickly turning to reality as one Indian batsman after another walked back to the pavilion.

So much has gone into this result the feeling of satisfaction is unbelievable.

There is another Test starting on Wednesday but for now we are savouring a glorious moment in Australian cricket.

From Nagpur,
JL




Links to more Australia stories


 

SEE ALSO
A great Test that never was
19 Oct 04  |  Australia
India feeling the pressure
13 Oct 04  |  Australia
Clarke rises to the challenge
11 Oct 04  |  Australia
Aussies boast embarrassment of riches
04 Oct 04  |  Australia
Australia determined to succeed
28 Sep 04  |  Cricket


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