Both Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer who slammed centuries yesterday at Bourda claim that the key to their success was the ability to concentrate on the game as well as being patient.
Ponting was asked about his tactics when batting and said, "as a batsman one has to be as `clear-minded' as possible and concentrate on every ball," adding, "the key is to let more balls go, unlike one day cricket where each ball counts."
He said that he felt good getting back to playing test cricket after the World Cup.
The vice-captain said that the great thing about Australia is that they try their best to play their natural game and to play as safe as possible.
He said it may be true that the added responsibility of being captain and vice-captain possibly impacted on his recent performances with the bat.
Ponting claims that he loves the Caribbean pitches which are good for batting. He also said that when he comes to the Caribbean he is `clear-headed' and this helps him to concentrate and bring out the best in him. He added that the atmosphere in the Caribbean is fun and it puts him in a good frame of mind.
He was asked about the performance of the West Indian bowlers and said, "I think all the West Indies bowlers bowled well under the conditions, the track was a bit flat and did not aid them much."
Ponting added that once Australia lost the toss their plan was to try and `knock over' the opposition quickly and post a big score so as to bat once on the Bourda track since they did not want to be chasing a big total in their second innings.
Langer who accompanied his vice-captain during the press conference, said that he likes to play positive and that the opening position may have done some good for him because he has scored at least six hundreds batting at the top of the order.
According to him, "I've played 60 test matches and I've got six or seven hundreds from that position, so I guess that is something positive."
The opener was asked if he was disappointed at not going on to make a double century after he got out for 146 and said, "yes, I was disappointed to get out and not make the double but I think I might have been undone by the taking of the new ball which had some extra bounce and that contributed to my getting out."
Langer also agreed with Ponting that the West Indian bowlers bowled well especially Vasbert Drakes who took 5-93.
The Aussie opener said that Jermaine Lawson bowled with a lot of pace on the docile Bourda track as well as Dillon and Collins to a lesser extent.
Vasbert Drakes who was playing his first test match in the Caribbean and took 5-93, was also quizzed by the media at the post-play briefing and was asked about his performance and if he had something to prove.
Drakes said, "yes, coming back to play test cricket for the West Indies in the West Indies, and at the age of 33, well I might have had a point to prove but I have always wanted to play against the Australians and to prove how good you are then you have to play against the best team in the world which is Australia."
The fast bowler was quizzed on what he did to be able to take five Australian wickets and said, "as a bowler you got to have a game plan, and bowl to areas where you can contain them (Aussies) and build pressure."
He added, "when you are playing against Australia you have to back yourself and trust your ability to bowl well."
According to Drakes there were a couple of decisions which could have gone either way but they (the West Indies) were still happy to bowl out Australia for the total that they got.
The bowler said that although Australia have a good score they could have had more if the West Indies did not bowl well on the second day.
He expressed confidence in the team and said that they were still confident of doing well and will give their best no matter what happens.