It's 7.34pm on Day 2 of the second test in Adelaide and we're in a buoyant mood after Fred Flintoff finally managed to win a toss and we had two really good days batting.

Having been beaten badly in the first test and then taken a lot of stick in the build up to this one, we're all very happy to have 551 runs on the board and Justin Langer already out. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen deserve great credit for the way they batted under extreme pressure. What is especially pleasing about the game so far was that McGrath and Warne took just one wicket between them. Well aware that these guys are champion performers, we spoke before the game about trying to keep them quiet.

For me it's a little frustrating being stuck on the sidelines. Saying that I'd much rather be here, involved in the main squad, than in Perth with the academy. It has been a dream-like couple of weeks. I had 24 hours to get used to the news before the media found out. Flights had to be rescheduled and bags packed so I didn't have much time to get my head around things. When the news broke, interview after interview came my way.

I knew I was being brought into something much bigger than anything I'd experienced before when a TV camera crew turned up on my doorstep in London unannounced (and uninvited).

I flew with the Academy lads to Dubai and then transferred to Adelaide via Melbourne. I landed in Adelaide with a terrible case of jet-lag, a few interested looks from the locals and some none-too-welcoming comments from an immigration officer. Having yourself called a 'Pom' takes some getting used tof Whisked through the airport by security, I was taken straight to the cricket ground where the team were playing their final warm-up game against South Australia. I was greeted by the usual (appaling) Irish accents from Matthew Hoggard and Jimmy Anderson, and drowsily said my hellos.

At the time we were batting and, as is customary when we bat, the music was blaring throughout the changing room.

Freddie Flintoff (right), Hoggy and the senior players usually dictate what gets played so quite often we end up listening to Johnny Cash or Elton John. Not my top choices but they're definitely better than Mahmood or Plunkett's R'n'B mixes!

In Brisbane the intensity of the training was raised several notches and there was more focus during team meetings about our plans for the Aussie batsmen and bowlers. The seriousness of the tour increased, but this ran alongside a relatively calm approach from my team mates and the management. Several of the guys have their wives or girlfriends out with them which is great.

The partners get to travel around with us, soaking up and sharing the experience. My girlfriend, Francesca, and I spend most of our time with the Strausses, Andersons, and Ian Bell and his girlfriend, Lucy.

I've understood from the start of this opportunity that I was going to be the back-up batter.

Despite knowing I wasn't playing (I knew Belly's injury wasn't serious) I was nervous travelling to the Gabba on the first morning of the test. The ground was packed for the start and when we found out we were fielding we knew we had to hit them hard early on.

In the last Ashes England set the tone of the series in the first session when Harmison and Hoggard, Jones and Flintoff bowled with pace and aggression.

There were a few nerves and we probably went out there a bit too pumped up and so never really gained a foothold.

Ponting, McGrath and Warne put in brilliant performances and there is no doubt that they outplayed us. But there were a few positives that we took from the game.

Firstly, we played Shane Warne with a lot of confidence and skill. Secondly, a lot of the batters got starts and most looked in good form, especially KP who is going to be crucial to us. Thirdly, Fred, Hoggy and Anderson bowled well in spells.

We felt that with a few tweaks and a few less nerves, we could get it right for Adelaide.

Harmy's form was a bit of concern in the media but he has so much ability that we had no doubt he would turn it around.

From a personal point of view, it was interesting being in the squad for a test match for the first time. I am basically the fielding 12th man which means that when someone leaves the field I replace them. It was great fun running on in front of 40,000 people at the Gabba. I was willing the ball to come to me just to get involved in the game. It can be quite frustrating as 12th man because you're never the person actually scoring the runs or taking the wickets so any excuse to get into the game is a godsend.

It was also great to get to know the guys a bit better in the dressing room environment. People tend to show their true selves before they bat because of nerves, so it was interesting to watch the different personalities. KP tends to stretch a lot and watch the video footage of what the ball is doing. He and Fred enjoy a can or two of Red Bull before they bat to get themselves going.

I loved the atmosphere of the occasion and just hope I can stay involved long enough so that eventually I get my chance to show them what I can do.