It just goes to show that no matter how much planning you put into it, this game has a way of undoing all the talking and preparation in just one ball. Before the start of today's play we had run through everything that we thought would be necessary to bowl out the Pakistanis as cheaply as possible. Steady, patient line and length to Anwar, full outswingers to Razzaq and a disciplined line to the remainder of the Pakistan batsmen. Our planning was thorough overnight as all of the wise men in our changing room lay down our objectives for the morning. The Test match was on the line but we felt that by sticking to our game plan we could chase anything our talented opponents set us.

With the stage set at 9:30am we settled into our positions for Warney's first delivery of the day. Everyone was pumped with spirits high for a Test match victory. The shouts from Junior at slip were "C'mon Warney nice and tight mate". Gilly encouraged the team with "Plenty of energy boys". At silly mid off 'Punter' was shouting "Big start boys, big start" and my words at shortleg were "How about a wicket first ball Warney, start us off mate, first ball mate, first ball".

After a solid session in the field the previous day everyone tends to be a little stiff and sore first thing in the morning. This was no exception today as Warney let go of his first ball of the morning. From his hand came a rank full toss, which was a far cry from the type of ball that we had planned on bowling to the Pakistani batsmen. As I jumped for cover at short leg all I could hear was 'Warney' shouting "Oh no" followed by shouts of joy from everyone barracking for the good guys at the Gabba. Out of the corner of my eye all I could see was 'Punter' throwing the ball into the heavens and running like a lunatic towards our superstar 'leggie'.

As Razzaq trudged off the field and I stood arm in arm with my team-mates in the huddle I had to laugh at the irony of this crazy game. All night Razzaq would have played over in his mind a thousand scenarios of how he was planning to play Warne, McGrath, Fleming and Muller and save his team in a heroic debut Test innings. He would have thought about top spinners, flippers, wrong uns, outswingers and bouncers but I would bet he never even considered a rank full toss, especially on the first ball of the day. It is an amazing game in this regard as there is so many different things that can happen on every single delivery leaving a bowler's hand. Who could have guessed the result of this morning's first-up loosener? It is impossible really, although I will say we were more than happy with the outcome that kickstarted the momentum for a sensational first session of Test match cricket.

Glenn McGrath bowled as well as he has bowled for a while with a disciplined line and length, and Damien Fleming continued his outstanding and improved performance in Test cricket with five wickets. Needing just over 70 runs our openers also continued their consistent run with a faultless display of tough, ruthless batting which secured our second consecutive 10-wicket Test victory.

In the changing rooms afterwards it was a little quieter than usual with Steve Waugh taking the first available flight back to Sydney to be at his wife Lynette's side as she delivered their second baby. Before he left the Gabba, Ian Healy was in the rooms to hand over the stage to Ricky Ponting who delivered his first Test match rendition of our team song "Underneath the Southern Cross I stand..."

There is nothing like winning a Test match for Australia as Punter screamed our victory war cry that makes five hard days all worthwhile.

From the Gabba changing rooms, JL