Now the challenge becomes even stronger

With ten days' break before the third Test in Nagpur we have time to recover from the exhaustion of this second Test and re-visit our approach to Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble and the returning Sachin Tendulkar, whom we recognize as crucial players in this four-Test match series.

At times during this second Test match, our intensity wasn't at the same level that we had set ourselves during the first Test in Bangalore. Admittedly, the conditions were as extreme as I have ever played in, but that cannot be an excuse if we are to achieve the elusive series victory that we have prepared so well for.

So draining was the heat and humidity within the Chepauk stadium that I can never remember feeling so uncomfortable on a cricket field. In the past we have played in Sharjah and Colombo, but I am not sure they presented the same challenges and distractions that Chennai has over the last five days.

Adding to the extreme nature of the conditions was the titanic arm wrestle that continues to brew between our two nations. There is no room for even a slight lapse of concentration when we meet, because the pressure is so great in the middle that even the smallest of errors could prove to be a momentum changing factor in the contest.

Before a ball had been bowled in this series my expectation was of another monumental battle for the ultimate honours, and even though rain acted as the final convener yesterday [Monday] I haven't been far wrong with my initial predictions.

The first two Tests have been brilliantly competitive contests. Every single ball seems to be a game within the overall game. The intensity between the wills of each batsman and bowler has been awe-inspiring. Even tapping here at my computer, my blood starts to rush in anticipation at what has been, and at what is still to come.

During this second Test there were a number of outstanding individual performances, but it is the overall fight between the two teams that I am enjoying and finding so intriguing. Like a heavyweight title fight we keep exchanging blows but as yet neither team is yet to succumb to the pressure.

Yesterday there is no doubt the result could have gone either way. After Damien Martyn and Jason Gillespie helped get us back into the battle, we knew that India would have to bat with dogged determination and discipline if they were to secure a series equalizing victory.

First innings hero Virender Sehwag looked in magnificent touch in the first innings and in the first three overs in the second innings, but even he would have recognized the huge task he had in front of him when he woke up yesterday morning. Chasing runs to win a Test match is always difficult and it often takes a heroic individual or team effort to get over the line.

Who is to say what would have happened if the much-needed rain hadn't have hit Chennai yesterday; all I know is that we all left the ground on day four knowing the final day could be one of the most tense and exciting days of our collective careers.

It is a pity that nature decided to take the course it did, but now the challenge becomes even stronger. Test cricket is so called because it is the ultimate test of skill, stamina, courage, discipline and patience on a cricket field. Over the next two Tests in Nagpur and Mumbai, every single participant in the race is going to have to be ready and willing to display all of these traits if they are going to help their team conquer the other.

With the expectation of this series reaching boiling point before the first Test, I get the feeling the next ten days is going to slowly build up to fever pitch come the first morning of battle number three.

In many ways, we are happy to lead the series one-nil, but after dropping our standards a touch over the last four days, we are not likely to make the same mistakes again.

Nagpur cannot come quickly enough because we are loving this overwhelming contest against India.

Until then,

JL