There is no denying this Test match is a huge one for the Australian team. There is also no denying that it is equally important for the West Indians. For them, they have been down, and considered out, for the last 12 months. Recent Test defeats have stunned the West Indian cricket community like the fresh air stuns a hooked fish.

For us, we have been on top of international Test cricket for a long time. Defeat in a series seems as foreign to us as an uninvited guest is to Trenchtown. All this considered, this fourth Test is arguably of bigger magnitude than the magnificent Barbados Test completed a few days ago. Neither team is going to concede an inch in their quest to hold the Sir Frank Worrell trophy aloft in five days' time.

From afar today may seem to have been an uneventful type of day in terms of Test cricket. Five wickets to the West Indians, just over 200 runs to the current trophy-holders. This may look as though it was pretty slow going at the Recreation Ground, after Steve Waugh won his fourth toss of the series, but you can take it from me this was a result of what I feel is going to be one heck of a grudge match.

The West Indians will be as stubborn as a rusted bolt in their plan to keep the trophy from returning to our shores and I can assure every Aussie supporter out there on the net that we are equally determined to ensure that it stays in our grasp.

On a slow pitch, batting was tough going against superstars Ambrose and Walsh and debutante Collymore. For a change, our equally superstar captain is still fighting like an angry blue marlin. He is the toughest competitor I have ever seen. As we were walking off at tea time this afternoon I commented to 'Tugga' that I thought Walsh and Ambrose were both looking physically and mentally tired after yet another long spell in the middle session. In his usual way Tugga almost grimaced at me and said: "I know how they feel, I feel mentally tired myself." And why wouldn't he be just quietly?

This in mind, it is a further tribute to the mental steel of the world's number one batsman that he is still there at stumps tonight. He has no desire to see the Frank Worrell trophy staying in the Caribbean for the first time since 1995, so don't be surprised to see him continue his unbelievable fight tomorrow. Our changing room is fired up and I must admit if I was a fly on the wall in the Windies room I wouldn't be at all surprised to also see the ice melting behind their closed doors.

From Antigua, looking for a sprint coach to stop me from getting run out again, JL!