Justin Langer column

By Justin Langer Australia Test batsman

McGrath was able to bowl in the nets on Thursday

The biggest challenge facing both teams in this second Test will be in conquering the element of fatigue.

Back to back Test matches are always a difficult task and after the heat and tension of the first Test in Brisbane, I believe it will be the team who is able to let go from what happened last week that will be able to gain early momentum here.

From our point of view a dominant first day will be crucial. Obviously the toss could be significant but nonetheless we understand the importance of staying on top of England after our emphatic first Test victory.

There is almost a sense of history repeating itself going into Friday.

In the last series we won the first Test remarkably well and then Glenn McGrath was ruled out of the second Test on the morning of the game with an ankle injury.

This time Glenn isn't necessarily out of the match but there has been speculation about his fitness after he bruised his heel while taking six wickets in the first innings in Brisbane.

They say you must learn a lesson from every experience and I am hopeful we have learned our lesson from what happened at Edgbaston last time.

Our momentum was stolen away in the first session by England's top order and it would be fair to say they hardly looked back from there.

Regardless of whether our superstar opening bowler is right for Friday we will need to be as focused for then as we were last week and at Lord's last July.

Harmison has been spending a lot of time with bowling coach Shine

There has been a big deal made about Steve Harmison's effort in the first Test.

It would be fair to say he didn't have his best game but I have enough bruises to testify that he isn't far off bowling at his best.

He is a very dangerous bowler because we know he has the ability to bowl a match winning spell.

From his great height he can never be underestimated and in spite of the criticism he, along with Flintoff, is the bowler we are most wary of out in the middle.

Of course I hope he doesn't find his rhythm all series but I know better than to misjudge the talent of England's match-winning fast bowler.

Friday marks the start of another golden opportunity for both teams.

We have a chance to take a 2-0 lead while England have the prospect of clawing back the impetus and securing a grip on the urn.

We know we have to win this series to wrestle the Ashes back; I can only guess who is under more pressure leading into game two.

But what a picturesque ground to play Test cricket.

The beauty of the Adelaide Oval lies not only in her appearance but also in the style of cricket produced on this unique wicket.

For the first two days there are few wickets in the world a batsman would rather bat on.

With short square boundaries and a true, evenly paced pitch it is the epitome of a batting paradise.

Traditionally as the game progresses, this paradise can turn into a real battle as the surface lends assistance to the spinners and any bowler who is willing to bang the ball hard into the deteriorating turf.

The spectacle of fluent batting diminishes with every passing hour here in Adelaide, but is replaced by tough, uncompromising Test cricket where every run becomes a valuable commodity.

Away from the cricket, the outfield is like carpet and the leafy surroundings of the Adelaide trees and spectacular cathedral provide a magnificent backdrop for one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world.

From Adelaide, JL