Ponting's innings was Bradmanesque

It is hard to keep up with some of the fashion statements being bandied around the ranks, but then, it helps to keep us young, and in good spirits.

The high spirits continued to run freely on the field at Taunton.

After Ricky Ponting, captaining Australia for the first time, won the toss and batted, the interest not only lay in our batting exploits, but also in the expectant contribution of ring-in Somerset bowler Shoaib Akthar.

In terms of sheer pace, he let no body down.

It was clear from the first ball that he was keen to renew acquaintances with the Aussies.

After bowling a thunderbolt that sent Michael Slater sprawling along the ground, he followed up the assault with a number of the fastest balls I have seen on a cricket field.

Akhtar: Guaranteed to give any batsman the chills

When Pakistan toured Australia two seasons ago, I suggested that I would never face a faster bowler than Akthar.

He is as fast and intimidating as any bowler playing the game.

Yet again, my belief was unaltered as he bowled like the wind.

While his figures by stumps are less than flattering, you can take it from me that if any bowler gets your adrenaline pumping, it is the 'Rawalpindi Express'.

He is rapid, and if you are not sharp and pumped up then you can expect to spend a night in a hospital bed.

Facing him was a buzz, if not a little spooky at times.

Countering his attack was the stand-in skipper Ricky Ponting.

The way he hit the ball, to every part of the field, made me understand what it must have been like for Arthur Morris or Billy Brown, when they stood at the other end to Sir Donald Bradman.

In the face of adversity

Admittedly I am prone to making a few big statements, but I truly believe the way 'Punter' batted must have been something like the great Bradman played most of the time he went to the crease.

Yours truly reaches three figures

The Somerset bowlers had no answers for our Tasmanian run machine, who is quite simply in the form of his life.

A pull-shot, in front of square leg, and travelling about ten rows back, sticks in my mind as one of the shots of the day.

Then again, he played a couple of on drives that travelled to the fence as quickly as the fighter jets that are currently zooming through the Somerset skies at this time of the year.

As for yours truly, it was most enjoyable spending some time in the middle.

While it was bitterly disappointing being left out of the first Test side, I honestly believe a person's character can be judged by how he fights back from adversity.

The job is in front of me to force my way back into the Test team.

All I can do is score runs every time an opportunity presents itself.

This in mind, I am pleased to be 104 not out overnight.

From Taunton, Somerset.

JL