"Outstanding" Gillespie

Sunday's performance from our bowlers, particularly Jason Gillespie, was outstanding.

In 1995, a young Glenn McGrath earned his stripes, so to speak, during the West Indies tour.

There, he stepped up from very good, to great fast bowler. Not only did he have enormous talent but also during that series he displayed incredible courage, discipline and stamina.

It was like he had taken the transition from boy to man in the world of international cricket. The rest is history as they say, and 'The Pigeon' has progressed from strength to strength ever since.

In India at the start of this year, the same right of passage occurred for Jason Gillespie. His courage, temperament and skill earmarked him as a future great Australian fast bowler.

Room to improve

His exhibition in tearing apart the England second innings was a major contributor to this first Test triumph.

The pace generated off a near-perfect length had every England batsman looking as uncomfortable as a cat in a dog kennel.

Not forgetting Warney's eight-wicket match, Glenn McGrath's relentless effort and Brett Lee's occasional thunderbolt, but in my mind it was Gillespie and the batsmen who put this first Test beyond doubt.

After the game, Steve Waugh suggested there is still room for improvement, and from the reaction of most of the guys there is no doubt this view is unanimous.

This doesn't sound too promising for England who have worries of their own.

But the fact is that we came to England not only to retain the Ashes, but to also keep lifting the bar to the standard we want to set in world cricket.

This first effort was a testimony to the hunger for success in this team. There is no way we will rest up from here.

From Edgbaston

JL