The Australian skipper Steve Waugh said on Thursday that the 16th consecutive Test win was not an easy victory. "It was a really tough, hard game," he said.

Speaking at the post match press conference after his team had wrapped up the first Test with two days to spare, Waugh said, "It was a great victory. We backed ourselves and got through the tough times. I am really proud of the guys."

On his strategy to bowl first in the Test, he said "It was a gamble that I took. India haven't played good Test match cricket in the last six months and with the quality attack I had, I thought it fine to put them in and get some early wickets." He added that the result would have been different if he did not have faith in his side. "It comes with experience, you have to keep yourself focussed and be at it and you will get through the tough times and do well."

The 35-year-old skipper said that he witnessed two great innings from Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist and he was of the view that "Gilly's innings set us up." He had high praise for his left handed deputy adding that he was the perfect number seven batsman. "He can take the game away from the opposition at any time." he added on the Man of the match's brilliant century.

Waugh was of the opinion that the turning point of the match was Tendulkar's wicket. He added that Ricky Ponting produced a very good catch.

Waugh had some grievances on the nature of the wicket but sidelined them saying, "It was not an ideal wicket, the ball was going over the wicket keeper's head even with the spinners bowling. I would say it was not of Test match standard but we won so we should not be complaining much about that."

On the Michael Slather incident, the Australian captain said "It was just an emotional moment and he thought he had held on to the catch. There was no way Slater could have known if the ball had grounded before that, because he was still diving ahead to grab it."

Waugh had high praise for the crowd. "They supported the Indian team but they did cheer us on as well. The crowds were excellent, they acknowledged good cricket."

In a jovial mood, Waugh remarked that he had worn the same baggy green cap in all his 133 Test matches. He added "Having Ricky Ponting at mid-wicket was a good bit of captaincy," and ended the conference on a smiling mood.

© CricInfo