Each of the first three balls I faced was nasty, brutish and short and from each one I gave a chance. Takeley smelt blood and moved in for the kill. I felt that sitting back and trying to play my way into the game wasn't a viable plan, since I was out of form and struggling against the bowling. So I backed away and swung the bat. I had all the good fortune in the world, was dropped at least three times and reached my ton in the 21st over. Better to be lucky than good...