Nasser Hussain hooks Jason Gillespie for six

While signing so many bats in one sitting can be frustrating at the time, I kept thinking of my prize at home and thinking how one of these bats may also become a part of history one day.

I wonder if all touring teams of the past have signed as many pieces of memorabilia in the past?

Today it was back to business as usual as we took on Essex in a three-day game before the first Test.

Playing without Stuart Law, Essex spent a long day in the field as Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn hammered the ball to all parts of the field.

Talk about entertainment! All three of our batting machines played majestic innings to keep the momentum of this tour running in our favour.

The large Essex crowd certainly got their money's worth as the boundaries flowed as rapidly as the kegs of beer in the hospitality marquees.

England captain Nasser Hussain took the opportunity to get in some valuable match practice as he is just returning from a stint on the injury bench.

To his credit, he came out to open the batting against our all-star bowling attack of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

Seeds of doubt

After top edging a six off "Dizzy", he was able to survive a couple of appeals and "plays and misses" to go to stumps not out.

The battle will be on in the morning, as both camps will want to draw first blood from the contest.

He will be determined to spend some time exposed to our bowlers while you can be certain our guys will want to plant a few seeds of doubt before the Test series gets under way.

The scene is set for an interesting contest early on day two of this game.

From my shoes, this game certainly has a way of testing me. Another duck today and the frustration is building up.

Luckily, I have experience on my side and I know that if I stick to the basics and continue working hard my fortunes will change.

With selection for the first Test looming, let's hope that fortune changes when I get a chance to bat in the second innings.

Staying philosophical in Chelmsford,

JL