The more I think about it, I might have to rename this daily article "The Test Cricket Exploits of Stephen Rodger Waugh". Since I began writing my postcards during the 1997 Ashes Tour of England, there has hardly been a day when our captain hasn't featured in one way or the other for his incredible batting prowess. Sure there is a thousand ways to tell a story, but even still I am finding it increasingly difficult to find a new method of praising the mastery of 'Tugga's' batting. Consistent, brutal, ruthless, controlled, single-minded, mentally tough are all adjectives that I have used to describe his genius with a cricket bat in his hand.

Today has been no exception with the second-highest Australian Test match runscorer taking his overnight score of 90 to over the 150 mark. Once again he was all of the above as he destroyed the soul of the Zimbabwe bowling with an aggressive intent reserved often for an army general in command. As per usual he copped an array of bruises to his hands, ribs and arms, and as usual he just shrugged these off as part of the job. His leadership is inspiring and with Allan Border sitting in our viewing room during this Test the feeling of accomplishment and toughness is thickly encompassing the air of the Australian cricket team.

Just being around the Waughs, Allan Border, Ian Healy, Shane Warne and increasingly Glenn McGrath, is enough to motivate any soul into a higher standard of accomplishment. This is where Australian cricket is so lucky. We have people to aspire to, people who have given our cricket a rich history of achievement that has formed a pride in the baggy green cap that is incomparable. Our fortune in this regard will hold us in good spirit for years and hopefully generations to come. How can the youngsters of today not be inspired by the achievements of greatness Steve Waugh and his mates in this team consistently offer?

Damien Fleming offered the skipper unbelievable support by smashing 60-odd in very quick time. His confidence is growing with every journey to the batting crease. He laughs at the suggestion that he is starting to assume allrounder status but after his recent successes with the bat he is offering more to the team than just destructive outswingers. We now need him to bowl with the same reliance tomorrow so that we can return to Australia with a Test match victory to our name.

After the Barbados Test earlier this year we are not taking anything for granted but there is an obvious air of expectation going into day four. Zimbabwe has a number of determined and talented batsmen to come so we will have to work very hard tomorrow to ensure a victory.

From Harare, JL