Just like the brilliant run chase against Pakistan in the World Cup, today's effort could be the perfect ignition of fire that leads to a successful three-Test series here in Sri Lanka. Although the boys fell a few runs short in the Pakistan match at Headingley, they all believe it was their fighting performance on that day that started off their incredible streak of winning performances in one-day cricket.

Here in Colombo, Greg Blewett and Michael Slater started off the day needing another 295 runs to secure victory. As if it was a simple stroll in the park all the boys contributed to the target with a determined and aggressive approach that will add invaluable confidence to our talented and close-knit team.

Led by 'Blewy' who scored a sensational 148, we won the day with four wickets in hand and two-and-a-half hours of time to our credit. Playing the spinners as if he has been brought up in the parklands of India or Pakistan, South Australia's elegant opener relished the conditions as he smashed the Sri Lankan spinners to every part of the Premadasa Stadium. He has always confessed to wanting to open the batting for his country and if today is anything to go on, the Slater/Blewett opening combination could be around for some time. Having opened together for the first time in the last Test in Antigua six months ago, both of these guys will enjoy the opportunity to forge a new opening combination into the folklore of Aussie cricket.

It is often said that winning is a habit so today's result will hopefully kick off this habit for the good guys. Admittedly we started this game with a lacklustre performance on the first two days but after a meeting before the start of the third day we played more dominant cricket to finish it off.

'Tugga' conceded on Sunday morning that he was willing to write off the first two days as a chance to blow away the cobwebs, but he and coach Geoff Marsh urged us to get back into top gear for day's three and four. With only this one practice game before the first Test it was vital that every player took something positive out of the game before Thursday. At 4:30pm this afternoon it would be fair to assume that our preparations are going to plan for the first Test with all of the guys benefiting from a solid hit-out in the very hot and humid Colombo conditions.

Not only for the result but it was also lucky the game finished earlier than scheduled because we went straight from our changing room onto the team bus for a three-hour drive up through the beautiful, picturesque mountains to Kandy. Although it was a long and slow journey, it gave us an opportunity to enjoy the day's first tour result. Bus trips are traditionally great fun for an Aussie cricket player, especially after a victory. All the old favourites on the stereo invariably kick off a raucous singalong among the guys. If 'Slats' isn't playing his guitar, the stereo is always blasting out the golden tunes that initiate arm-in-arm singing and laughter within the team.

Today John Williamson's new song about the baggy green cap, that was written by our illustrious captain 'Tugga' and NSW and Australian off-spinner Gavin Robertson, must have been played 20 times in the course of the journey. If the reaction of the team is anything to go by then I would recommend that you keep your ears open because this song is a ripper that pulls on the heartstrings of any Aussie cricketer or even wannabe Aussie cricket star.

From Kandy, JL