By Justin Langer Australia batsman in Guyana

Entertainment plus is the best way to describe the last three and a half days of the Test match here in Georgetown.

Played out on one of the flattest and hardest pitches and outfields in world cricket, there was definite potential for a boring, slugging match of ring fields and negative tactics.

Thankfully, neither my team nor the calypso kings here in the Caribbean favours that style of play.

Chanderpaul's first day century was truly inspired

While the last three Test matches have ended in lifeless draws in Guyana, this was never going to be the case after Shivnarine Chanderpaul set the tone with one of the most incredible Test match innings that I have ever seen.

Entering the action with Brad Hogg on a hat-trick, Chanderpaul waltzed to the crease and continued waltzing to a 69-ball century.

It was simply an awesome innings of class and composure.

Tiny in stature, he hit the ball as sweetly as a man can hit a cricket ball. His brilliance set the pattern for the game, as the bowlers from both teams had to work like miners to extract any life from the track.

From a batting point of view, such a flat wicket is a dream, especially when facing four West Indian fast bowlers.

It was fun for me personally in sharing a free-scoring partnership of over 200 with Ricky Ponting.

He continued his outstanding form from the World Cup final with a magnificent century. While it may not have been as ruthless as Chanderpaul's, it was certainly as dominant and significant to the outcome of the game.

We can expect a serious challenge from this young but exciting West Indian outfit Match report

With a first innings lead of 250, we were always going to be in the box seat for an ultimate triumph, but at one stage certain victory looked a little shaky.

Brian Lara continued his phenomenal Caribbean form against us with his fourth century in as many Tests. Back in 1999 he was in a class of his own, as he was on day three here.

Resuming the role as captain, he played with his usual power and finesse, flaying our bowlers to all parts of the Bourda ground.

But for a freakish dismissal, where he hit his own stumps while sweeping, he looked like making our victory task a very tough assignment.

His partnership with Darren Ganga, who scored his maiden Test hundred, brought back memories of Jamaica four years ago where Lara and Jimmy Adams batted through the day without losing a single wicket.

In such trying conditions, these days are ones you like forget as your body starts crying out for mercy after six hours running around on turf which is as dry and hard as the M25 in London.

Going into day four, the West Indies were over 100 in front with five wickets remaining and it was going to take a Herculean effort by one of our bowlers to keep us from chasing a tall second innings total.

'Dizzy' Gillespie and yours truly winding down aftre the game

That effort came from Jason Gillespie who, in the absence of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, is our most senior bowler. He was superb in prizing out the final wickets.

Taking 5-40 on this pitch was close to a super human effort and one that could have easily earned him the man of the match award.

The reward for his endurance was a moderate run chase of 147 and a first up Test victory.

From what we have seen so far, this tour is going to be no different from past ones.

The cricket is going to be very tough and unless we are on top of our game then we can expect a serious challenge from this young but exciting West Indian outfit.