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It’s been a long time coming – 36 years to be precise, in case anyone has failed to notice – but England are finally within touching distance of their first series win in the Caribbean since 1968. Another dominant bowling performance has left England in command of the third Test, and judging by the morning papers, it was not just superlatives that were flowing in Barbados last night.For yesterday’s main man was the people’s favourite, Andrew Flintoff, whose quest for a maiden Test "Michelle [five-for]" has finally come to fruition. "Flint Stoned" proclaimed a worryingly ambiguous headline in The Sun, although the potential misinterpretation was quickly cleared up by the sub-heading: "Fired-up Freddie skittles Windies with five-star show."As The Mirror’s Mike Walters pointed out, Flintoff is soon to become a father for the first time, and with 12,000 of his most ardent supporters in Barbados to celebrate on his behalf, there was plenty of wetting of the baby’s head going on last night. "As the Barmy Army spilled into Bridgetown’s beach bars last night," enthused Walters, "everyone agreed: Flintoff is Daddy Cool."Angus Fraser in The Independent joined in the chorus of approval. "The bars of Bridgetown will reap the benefits of Flintoff’s toil," he declared, "even if Brian Lara’s side do not." The Daily Mail’s Mike Dickson, on the other hand, predicted the opposite effect – at least by day. "Flintoff’s batting has for some time emptied the bars," he wrote, "but his bowling has never been quite so dramatic. Until yesterday, that is."Even Christopher Martin-Jenkins was going with the flow, although his focus was on a less hedonistic aspect of the day’s play. Seizing on Michael Vaughan’s "bold, if unnecessary" decision to field first on winning the toss, CMJ wrote in The Times: "It was akin to the Boat Race captain choosing the Middlesex bend in the hope of getting a commanding advantage early in the contest."Settling into a steady rhythm, CMJ’s metaphor raced past Craven Cottage and down towards Hammersmith Bridge. "If, on this occasion, England were ahead by rather more than a canvas after the early clash of blades, West Indies held on past Harrods to leave everyone guessing about which crew would be ahead when Chiswick Bridge hove into view."What happened here was simply a mirror image of West Indies versus England in the 1980s," added CMJ. "It is exactly what Clive Lloyd or Viv Richards would have done when 2-0 up in a series and armed with four strong and confident fast bowlers." And even if The Daily Telegraph’s Derek Pringle remained unconvinced by the wisdom of the decision, thanks to Freddie, he could hardly carp about its success: "It was made to look like divine inspiration rather than a reckless gamble."”Rampaging in from the Southern End and hammering the ball into a pitch offering some life, the Lancastrian’s bullish fast bowling blew the stuffing out of the West Indies innings,” wrote Mike Selvey in The Guardian, adding that the key moment of the day was his dismissal of Lara, just as he was looking set for his first big innings of the series. “Lara stood in the crease,” added Selvey, “and pushed his helmet to the back of his head in disbelief." As well he might, for at that moment England had seized control of the game.But, as Marcus Trescothick’s late wicket demonstrated, all hope has not yet been abandoned by the Caribbean’s commentators. Tony Cozier, a vociferous critic of West Indies’ performances in the first two Tests, was as overjoyed as the eight fast bowlers in this match to see a nice, bouncy, green-tinged pitch that reminded him of years gone by. Writing in The Independent, he went out of his way to praise the new head groundsman at Bridgetown, Richard Applewaite."What [Applewaite] presented at Kensington yesterday was not a lawn," said Cozier, "but in appearance at least, it is the kind of surface on which Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Colin Croft, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and their accomplices ensured 11 successive West Indies victories on the ground between 1978 and 1994."And Tony Becca, writing in the Jamaica Gleaner, predicted that this Test would be "short and spicy", even if he lamented the lack of home support. "[Although] surrounded in their own backyard by an army of British fans, this match could still be close and exciting." We await West Indies’ response with interest.

Central Districts batsman Andrew Dodd has been drafted into New Zealand’s squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia as a replacement for Jeet Raval.A captain wasn’t named when the squad was announced a fortnight ago, but as expected Kane Williamson has been picked for the task. Williamson scored an unbeaten 47 off 56 balls for Northern Districts against the touring Bangladeshis in a rain-affected match in December.Besides Williamson, there are four other players with first-class experience. The squad includes Corey Anderson, Greg Morgan, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who along with Williamson, were selected for New Zealand A’s three-week winter training camp in Darwin in 2007. Southee has been called up for New Zealand’s two Twenty20 internationals against England, and will join the U-19 team later. The side also includes Michael Bracewell, nephew of former Test players John and Brendon Bracewell, and Hamish Rutherford, son of former New Zealand captain Ken.The New Zealand team leaves for Australia on Saturday for a week-long camp in Queensland before heading to Malaysia, where they are drawn in the same pool as Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the hosts. New Zealand’s first fixture is against Zimbabwe on February 18, the second day of the tournament.Squad Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Nick Beard, Harry Boam, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Tamati Clarke, Fraser Colson, Michael Guptill-Bunce, Greg Morgan, Andrew Dodd, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Anurag Verma, George Worker.

Andrew Flintoff could make a long-awaited comeback playing for the England Lions on their tour of India, according to the chairman of selectors, David Graveney.”They are very happy with his rehab,” Graveney said after announcing England’s two squads to tour New Zealand next month. “There is a possibility, if his rehab goes to plan, of him going on the Lions tour at the end of January.”Flintoff, 30, underwent keyhole ankle surgery in October and has since been recovering in America. He hasn’t played a Test match since the fifth Test of the 2006-07 Ashes in Sydney, and although he wasn’t considered for England’s tour of New Zealand, Graveney said he could feature for the Lions when they play in India’s Duleep Trophy.”He’s very keen to get back playing cricket so there is a possibility ofhim joining up as a batsman only as part of his rehab,” Graveney said. “Everyone has their fingers crossed to get him back bowling and at this stage it is going according to plan.”The Lions depart for India on January 24.

Just months after quitting international cricket, former West Indies captain Brian Lara is set to return to the domestic game and represent Trinidad and Tobago for the 2008 Carib Beer Series.Deryck Murray, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president, confirmed the news at a press conference at the Queens Park Oval, saying his earlier conversation with Lara culminated in his decision to come back and play regional first-class cricket. Lara had earlier participated in the recently-concluded Indian Cricket League (ICL), captaining Mumbai Champs.”Brian can make a great contribution to Trinidad and Tobago cricket in the future, in terms of the development of the game and in administration,” Murray said at the tea interval during the Pizza Hut Gerry Gomez North/South Classic in Port-of-Spain.Murray noted further that Lara’s contribution to the national team is more of a motivating factor for the rest of the team as they begin their defense of the Carib Beer Challenge trophy on January 4 against Guyana at the Queens Park Oval.”Lara’s experience and knowledge will be a great asset to the team,” Murray said. “We are the champions of the Caribbean, the team to beat and every game will be a final.”However, Murray was careful to say that the inclusion of Lara, who last played for the national team in the double-winning 2006 Carib Beer Series, would not affect the future of the youngsters in the team. Lara is set to return over the weekend and will only be available for the four-day games. It was also made clear that he will not assume the role of the captain as Rayad Emrit was already selected in that capacity.Being the highest run-scorer in Test cricket with 11,953 runs and the holder of the world records for the highest individual Test and first-class scores, Murray said the board would use the opportunity to give Lara a proper farewell.”Everyone was taken by surprise when he announced his retirement and I think this is the perfect opportunity for T&T to say thank you for what he has done for local cricket.”

Scorecard

Stuart Clark took a five-wicket haul to help New South Wales to a 200-run Pura Cup victory against South Australia, who required 495 to win. They were eventually bundled out for 295, with fighting half-centuries from Callum Ferguson and Nathan Adcock.Ferguson (81) and Adcock (67) put on 107 runs to show resistance, but Ferguson fell before lunch, opening the door slightly for NSW. He was caught behind off Nathan Bracken. Adcock then added 66 with Graham Manou, who scored 33. But right after lunch both fell in quick succession, with Clark and Bracken taking a wicket each (244 for 7).Clark then removed Daniel Cullen and Paul Rofe, ending with 5 for 91. This was NSW’s fourth outright win in six games.

ICC President Malcolm Gray presented South African cricket captain Shaun Pollock with the ICC Test Championship Mace today to mark South Africa’s rise to the top of the ICC Test Championship table.”On behalf of the ICC I would like to congratulate Shaun and his team for the excellent standard of Test match cricket they have played over recent years, which has now earned them top position on the ICC Test Championship table,” said Gray. “Test cricket is hard work, and no side has worked harder than South Africa in terms of the series it has played against all other countries. One of the main aims of the ICC’s 10 year Test calendar is to encourage teams to play each other home and away on a regular basis, and South Africa has been prominent in achieving that. Their record proves that they are an extremely good side, consistently winning series in the toughest of conditions. For example, they are one of the very few teams to have won a series in India, and have also done well in other countries where Test match wins are never easy to come by, such as Sri Lanka and the Caribbean,” Gray added.On receiving the trophy, Pollock said he was proud to have been part of a squad which had deservedly taken its place at the top of Test cricket. “We have had a really good record away from home, which shows our cohesion as a unit,” Pollock said. “I would like to thank the players, team management and sponsors who have played such a vital role in getting us into this position over the years. It has been hard work, but I am sure I speak for all the guys when I say it has been worth it.”UCB President Percy Sonn and CEO Gerald Majola warmly congratulated the team on their effort and on the high standard of cricket they had maintained. “This Championship is about performing consistently well against all the Test-playing nations in all conditions. Shaun and the boys have done that,” said Sonn. Majola added: “This is the realization of all the effort and planning that has gone into South African cricket. It is part of our Strategic Plan to develop winners and to be the top nation in the world. By performing so well, Shaun and his team have laid a platform for our other strategic intention of making cricket a sport for all South Africans.”Castle Lager sponsorship manager Rob Fleming said: “Castle Lager congratulates the SA Test team on being top of the ICC Test log and bringing the prestigious trophy to our shores for the first time. We would like to take this opportunity to wish the Test champions the best of luck on the eve of the World Cup.””We are extremely proud of the Castle Lager/MTN Test cricket team and their recent series win over Pakistan which took them to the top of the ICC Test Championship table. The trophy hand-over must be a great confidence booster for the team with two days to go until the start of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup,” said MTN sponsorship manager Andrew Sherwood.The ICC Mace is awarded to the country at the head of the ICC Test Championship table, which was introduced at the start of the England v Pakistan series in May 2001.The Crown Jeweller Asprey & Garrard was commissioned to produce a distinctive trophy designed to stand out from other cricket trophies. They produced a silver and gold-plated trophy based on a cricket stump as its shank topped by an orb that represents the cricket world – both geographically and through the inclusion of the emblems of the 10 Test-playing nations. The stump and the orb combine to portray a mace, regarded as a symbol of authority and prestige. This is an appropriate combination given the rich history of Test Match cricket and its image as the most traditional and purest form of the game. The Mace is valued at $US 45 000 and automatically passes from one country to another as results confirm a change of Championship leader. Apart from South Africa, Australia is the only other side to have held the Mace.

NATIONAL LEAGUE AVERAGES (after Round 7, 12 January)Note: these averages are not accurate due to numerous discrepancies in the scoresheets submitted.

BATTING AND FIELDINGM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct/St R/OAdam, A (U) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Adam, H (U) 4 2 1 9 8 9.00 – – -Adam, S (U) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Ali, W (HSC) 4 4 0 10 9 2.50 – – 1Anticevich, C M (Alex) 5 3 1 30 17 15.00 – – 1Austin, I (Q) 3 3 0 8 8 2.66 – – 1Bala, S (HSC) 7 4 0 52 23 13.00 – – 2Barrett, G F (OG) 3 3 0 84 51 28.00 – 1 2Barry, S (Alex) 2 1 1 2 2* — – – -Bartlett, T G (Alex) 1 1 0 2 2 2.00 – – -Bath, B (Alex) 4 4 2 21 9 10.50 – – 1Benade, T (OH) 7 7 0 248 63 35.42 – 1 2Benhura, B Z (Alex) 5 4 0 79 37 19.75 – – 1Bennett, R J (OG) 7 5 2 46 18* 15.33 – – 1 1Biggs, J (OG) 2 1 1 1 1* — – – -Blignaut, A M (Alex) 6 5 1 78 25 19.50 – – -Brent, G B (Mut) 5 3 0 12 12 4.00 – – 1Brewer, C H (OH) 7 7 0 151 54 21.57 – 1 4 1Broadbent, S (Q) 1 1 1 3 3* — – – -Brooks, A A (HSC) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Brous, P (HSC) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Brundle, M R D (HSC) 3 3 0 56 39 18.66 – – 2Burki, A (OH) 5 2 1 2 2* 2.00 – – 3Burmester, M G (Mut) 3 3 0 239 133 79.66 1 1 -Butterworth, R E (OH) 6 6 0 130 92 21.66 – 1 2Cameron, J (Alex) 2 1 0 11 11 11.00 – – -Campbell, A D R (Mut) 4 4 2 324 100* 162.00 1 2 1Campbell, D J R (K) 6 5 2 75 26 25.00 – – 5/1Carlisle, S V (HSC) 5 5 3 376 129* 183.00 2 1 3Chari, N (OH) 7 6 2 53 15* 13.25 – – 1Chauluka, E (T) 3 3 0 80 38 26.66 – – 1Chawaguta, W R (T) 3 3 1 28 14* 14.00 – – -Chengetere, R (OG) 5 4 0 18 10 4.50 – – -Chibhabha, C (T) 2 2 0 41 40 20.50 – – 3Chigumbura, E (T) 6 6 0 192 70 32.00 – 1 1 1Chinyoka, I M (K) 5 4 1 60 45 20.00 – – 4Chiradza, R (U) 2 1 0 22 22 22.00 – – -Chirwa, T (Q) 4 4 2 22 11 11.00 – – -Chitare, N (T) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Chiwara, D (OH) 2 2 1 19 19 19.00 – – 1Chouhan, N (U) 5 3 1 57 31 28.50 – – 1 2Cloete, S (OG) 2 2 0 59 38 29.50 – – -Connelly, K M (K) 1 1 0 21 21 21.00 – – -Cornford, J M (K) 4 4 1 73 38 24.33 – – 3Coulson, I M (OG) 7 4 1 12 9* 4.00 – – 4Coventry, C K (BAC) 4 4 0 199 124 49.75 1 – 2Cremer, G (HSC) 3 2 0 8 7 4.00 – – -Crouch, D (Q) 1 1 1 30 30* — – – 1Croxford, G M (U) 6 6 2 192 48* 48.00 – – 1Croxford, R (HSC) 2 2 1 14 12 14.00 – – -Dabengwa, K M (BAC) 6 5 0 22 9 4.40 – – 1de Beer, D (Alex) 3 3 0 47 36 15.66 – – 1de Grandhomme, C (Alex) 2 2 1 36 36* 36.00 – – 1de Grandhomme, I (Alex) 4 4 1 53 24* 17.66 – – 3de Sousa, M (OG) 4 4 0 24 13 6.00 – – -Delport, C (K) 1 1 0 8 8 8.00 – – 2du Plessis, G (Alex) 4 3 2 17 15* 17.00 – – 1Dube, F (Q) 1 1 0 3 3 3.00 – – -Duffin, T (K) 7 7 0 159 71 22.71 – 1 1Durham, A M (HSC) 3 2 0 2 2 1.00 – – 2Ebrahim, D D (U) 3 2 0 94 92 47.00 – 1 2Engelbrecht, P N (Q) 1 1 0 6 6 6.00 – – -Ervine, C (OH) 7 7 0 72 61 10.28 – – 3 1Ervine, R (K) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Ervine, R (OH) 2 2 1 4 4 4.00 – – 1Ervine, S M (K) 4 4 0 252 96 63.00 – 3 3Evans, C N (OG) 7 7 1 214 88 35.66 – 2 6Ewing, G M (BAC) 5 4 1 195 85* 65.00 – – -Ewing, K (Q) 1 1 0 1 1 0.50 – – -Ferreira, N R (Mut) 5 5 1 294 125 73.50 1 1 10/2Flower, A (Mut) 2 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Flower, G W (OG) 4 4 1 117 67* 39.00 – – 3Fourie, H (K) 1 – – — — — – – 1Fraser, A (OG) 1 – – — — — – – -Friend, T J (K) 4 4 0 143 109 35.75 1 – 3Gilmour, A R G (Alex) 2 2 0 19 15 9.90 – – 2Goodwin, M (BAC) 1 1 1 0 0* — – – -Goosen, G C (Alex) 7 6 0 68 51 11.33 – 1 8/0 3Gripper, T R (HSC) 6 6 0 227 102 37.83 1 1 3 1Hamid, A (OH) 1 1 1 4 4* — – – -Hitz, J H (BAC) 3 3 0 73 51 24.33 – 1 5Hoffman, A P (BAC) 6 6 1 76 27 15.20 – – 2Hondo, D T (U) 4 3 1 35 21 17.50 – – 1Hundermark, B (K) 3 2 1 1 1* 1.00 – – -Irvine, E (HSC) 1 1 0 7 7 7.00 – – -Island, R (K) 1 – – — — — – – 1Johnston-Robertson, G (HSC) 4 1 1 0 0* — – – -Jones, S (OG) 3 3 1 1 1* 0.50 – – 4Kalas, W (OG) 1 1 1 4 4* — – – -Karamba, T (K) 1 – – — — — – – -Kasawaya, R (BAC) 5 4 0 92 75 23.00 – 1 2/1Kaschula, R (OH) 6 6 1 54 28 10.80 – – 1Khalid, S (OH) 1 1 0 3 3 3.00 – – 1Khan, S (OH) 7 5 1 25 12 6.25 – – 7/2King, R J (Q) 5 5 0 59 21 11.80 – – -Koen, B (HSC) 2 – – — — — – – -Kugotsi, A (Mut) 4 3 0 32 14 10.66 – – 1Lamb, G A (K) 1 1 0 77 77 77.00 – 1 -Lewis, J M (Mut) 4 2 1 4 4 4.00 – – – 1Lewis, M (HSC) 2 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – – 1Lombard, R (Q) 3 3 1 27 20 13.50 – – 1Lurie, A (HSC) 1 1 1 10 10* — – – -Mabuza, M (Q) 2 2 0 33 26 16.50 – – 1Mackay, A J (OG) 6 6 0 121 39 20.16 – – 2Macmillan, C (K) 6 5 1 46 23 11.50 – – 3Mahachi, C (BAC) 5 5 2 40 27* 13.33 – – 1 1Mahwire, N B (U) 5 2 0 25 24 12.50 – – 1Makoni, G (T) 5 5 0 60 29 12.00 – – 2Makovah, B (T) 1 1 1 1 1* — – – -Makunura, S T (T) 3 3 0 9 4 3.00 – – 1Malloch-Brown, L S (OG) 5 4 0 65 43 16.25 – – 5Manyande, R N (T) 6 5 0 72 44 14.40 – – -Maregwede, A (T) 7 7 1 178 52* 29.66 – 1 5/0Marillier, D A (Alex) 5 5 1 111 51 27.75 – 1 3Marillier, S J (Alex) 6 5 0 130 70 26.00 – 1 2Marisa, S (Q) 1 1 1 5 5* — – – -Marodze, A (K) 1 1 0 12 12 12.00 – – 1Masakadza, H (T) 3 3 0 159 69 53.00 – 2 3Mashanganyika, T (OH) 4 3 1 8 5 4.00 – – 2Matambanadzo, D R (U) 5 4 1 59 39* 19.66 – – -Matsikenyeri, S (T) 5 5 0 136 83 27.20 – 1 2Maungwa, A (T) 3 2 2 2 1* — – – -Mawoyo, T K (Mut) 5 3 0 36 24 12.00 – – 4Mbangwa, M (Q) 3 3 0 58 29 19.33 – – -Mboyi, T (Q) 2 2 2 10 7* — – – 1Mbwembwe, A (T) 4 3 0 3 2 1.00 – – 1McCormick, C (Alex) 2 1 0 15 15 15.00 – – 1McKean, M (HSC) 1 1 0 2 2 2.00 – – -McKillop, M G (BAC) 3 3 0 83 40 27.66 – – -McTaggart, A (Q) 2 2 0 4 3 2.00 – – -Meman, I (U) 6 4 1 43 29* 14.33 – – 1 1Meth, K (Q) 3 3 1 63 62* 31.50 – 1 -Mhandu, A (HSC) 7 4 1 13 7* 4.33 – – 2 1Moyo, V (BAC) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Mufambisi, T (T) 2 2 0 42 35 21.00 – – 1Mukondiwa, B (BAC) 1 1 0 18 18 18.00 – – -Mukondiwa, N (BAC) 4 3 0 36 22 12.00 – – 1Mupariwa, T (BAC) 4 2 1 32 29 32.00 – – 1 1Murphy, B A (U) 5 5 0 295 174 59.00 1 1 2Musundire, O (Q) 3 3 0 21 8 7.00 – – -Mutendera, D T (U/T) 3 2 0 27 14 13.50 – – -Mutendera, L (HSC) 3 1 1 1 1* — – – -Mutyambizi, L K (K) 2 2 0 4 3 2.00 – – -Muzah, G (T) 1 1 0 5 5 5.00 – – -Mwayenga, A (HSC) 5 3 1 7 4 3.50 – – 4Mwayenga, W (OG) 5 3 1 18 7* 9.00 – – 1Neethling, A J C (OG) 6 5 0 45 17 9.00 – – 2Nicolle, J S (BAC) 5 3 0 8 7 2.66 – – 3Nicolle, M (BAC) 1 1 0 3 3 3.00 – – -Nkala, M L (Q) 4 4 1 165 74 55.00 – 2 2Nkala, Q (Alex) 4 2 0 11 11 5.50 – – 1Nyumbu, J (Q) 6 4 0 1 1 0.25 – – -Obank, P (Mut) 2 2 1 22 22* 22.00 – – 1Oberholzer, D (Mut) 1 – – — — — – – -Olonga, H K (T) 4 4 0 28 11 6.00 – – 3 1Panyangara, T (T) 3 3 3 11 7* — – – 1Penney, A (HSC) 2 1 1 4 4* — – – 1Preston, C (HSC) 1 1 0 2 2 2.00 – – -Price, R W (K) 5 4 0 50 35 12.50 – – 4Rainsford, E C (K) 4 3 0 7 4 2.33 – – 1Rennie, G J (Alex) 5 5 0 49 31 9.80 – – 4Rinke, H P (OH) 6 5 0 41 19 8.20 – – 1Robb, D (OG) 2 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – 1 1Robbie, J (HSC) 1 1 0 23 23 23.00 – – -Rogers, B G (U) 5 5 1 234 126 58.50 1 1 3 3Ruswa, T P (T) 1 – – — — — – – 1Sanders, C J (K) 1 1 1 2 2* — – – -Sanyika, B (U) 5 2 2 8 4* — – – 1Saunders, N V (K) 1 1 1 1 1* — – – -Scroobie, D (K) 1 – – — — — – – -Seager, M S L (OG) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Shah, S (U) 4 1 0 15 15 15.00 – – -Shambare, A (HSC) 1 – – — — — – – -Shamuyarira, A (OG) 2 2 0 4 4 2.00 – – 1Sibanda, T (BAC) 2 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Sibanda, V (K) 4 4 0 104 39 26.00 – – -Sibanda, V (T) 2 2 0 21 20 10.50 – – 1Sims, R W (Mut) 5 3 0 53 40 17.66 – – 2Siziba, W T (Q) 5 5 0 92 67 18.40 – 1 2/0Smith, A (OH) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Smith, H (OH) 1 1 1 0 0* — – – 1Soma, A D (Mut) 6 4 1 49 17 16.33 – – 2Soma, L J (Mut) 5 3 0 31 20 10.33 – – -Staddon, B (BAC) 4 4 0 42 26 10.50 – – -Stannard, D D (Alex) 7 4 2 31 31* 15.50 – – 1 1Strang, P A (OH) 4 4 1 136 77* 45.33 – 1 5Streak, H H (Q) 1 1 0 75 75 75.00 – 1 -Strydom, G M (Q) 2 2 0 43 43 21.50 – – -Swanepoel, G (Q) 2 1 0 22 22 22.00 – – 1Taibu, K J (U) 4 1 0 19 19 19.00 – – -Taibu, T (T) 4 4 2 164 66* 82.00 – 2 4/3Taylor, A L (Mut) 1 1 1 3 3* — – -Taylor, B R M (HSC) 5 5 0 185 134 37.00 1 – 2/2 1Taylor, K J (Mut) 6 3 2 23 11* 12.00 – – -Townshend, M W (Q) 5 5 0 35 14 7.00 – – -Utseya, P (T) 6 6 2 75 39* 18.75 – – 3van Rensburg, N R (Q) 5 5 0 114 67 22.80 – 1 3Vaughan-Davies, M J (K) 5 5 1 117 67 29.25 – 1 2Vaughan-Davies, W J (Alex) 1 1 0 8 8 8.00 – – 1Veheremi, E (K) 1 1 1 0 0* — – – -Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 5 5 1 320 143 80.00 1 2 6 1Vermeulen, R (HSC) 1 – – — — — – – -Viljoen, D P (K) 6 6 0 157 55 26.16 – 1 5Waller, A C (OG) 1 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – -Went, K R P (Mut) 5 4 0 101 45 25.25 – – 3Whittall, G J (Mut) 3 1 1 16 16* — – – – 2Williams, C R (BAC) 3 3 1 22 15 11.00 – – -Williams, S (BAC) 3 3 1 30 20 15.00 – – 2 1Wishart, C B (OG) 3 3 1 177 112* 88.50 1 1 3Ziegler, C (OH) 2 2 0 24 19 12.00 – – 1250 OR MORE RUNSM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50Carlisle, S V (HSC) 5 5 3 376 129* 183.00 2 1Campbell, A D R (Mut) 4 4 2 324 100* 162.00 1 2Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 5 5 1 320 143 80.00 1 2Murphy, B A (U) 5 5 0 295 174 59.00 1 1Ferreira, N R (Mut) 5 5 1 294 125 73.50 1 1Ervine, S M (K) 4 4 0 252 96 63.00 – 3HIGHEST AVERAGES (100 or more runs)M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50Carlisle, S V (HSC) 5 5 3 376 129* 183.00 2 1 3Campbell, A D R (Mut) 4 4 2 324 100* 162.00 1 2Wishart, C B (OG) 3 3 1 177 112* 88.50 1 1Taibu, T (T) 4 4 2 164 66* 82.00 – 2Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 5 5 1 320 143 80.00 1 2Burmester, M G (Mut) 3 3 0 239 133 79.66 1 1Ferreira, N R (Mut) 5 5 1 294 125 73.50 1 1Ewing, G M (BAC) 5 4 1 195 85* 65.00 – -Ervine, S M (K) 4 4 0 252 96 63.00 – 3Murphy, B A (U) 5 5 0 295 174 59.00 1 1Rogers, B G (U) 5 5 1 234 126 58.50 1 1Nkala, M L (Q) 4 4 1 165 74 55.00 – 2Masakadza, H (T) 3 3 0 159 69 53.00 – 2Coventry, C K (BAC) 4 4 0 199 124 49.75 1 -Croxford, G M (U) 6 6 2 192 48* 48.00 – -Strang, P A (OH) 4 4 1 136 77* 45.33 – 1BOWLING AVERAGESO M R W Av. Best RateAdam, H (U) 14.5 2 64 2 32.00 1/12 4.31Adam, S (U) 3 0 8 1 8.00 1/8 2.66Ali, W (HSC) 2 1 8 1 8.00 1/8 4.00Anticevich, C (Alex) 13 4 35 3 11.66 2/14 2.69Austin, I (Q) 10 0 58 0 — — 5.80Bala, S (HSC) 58 11 162 9 18.00 3/22 2.79Barrett, G F (OG) 1 0 17 0 — — 17.00Barry, S (Alex) 14 1 54 3 18.00 2/14 3.85Benade, T (OH) 42.1 1 242 6 40.33 2/49 5.73Benhura, B (Alex) 29 0 140 4 35.00 1/21 4.82Bennett, R J (OG) 50.3 4 268 11 24.36 3/34 5.56Biggs, J (OG) 3 0 19 0 — — 6.33Blignaut, A M (Alex) 55.4 6 241 13 18.53 6/18 4.32Brent, G B (Mut) 34 2 162 6 27.00 2/15 4.76Brewer, C H (OH) 27 2 170 4 42.50 3/33 6.29Broadbent, S (Q) 3.5 0 35 0 — — 9.13Brooks, A (HSC) 10 1 38 1 38.00 1/38 3.80Brundle, M R D (HSC) 12 2 45 0 — — 3.75Burki, A (OH) 37.2 4 173 8 21.62 3/12 4.63Burmester, M H (Mut) 18 4 43 3 14.33 2/26 2.38Butterworth, R E (OH) 41 2 234 5 46.80 3/36 5.70Campbell, A D R (Mut) 20 0 96 3 32.00 2/38 4.80Campbell, D J R (K) 2 0 21 0 — — 10.50Carlisle, S V (HSC) 7 0 44 0 — — 6.28Chari, N (OH) 41 1 220 6 36.66 2/33 5.36Chawaguta, W R (T) 9 0 33 1 33.00 1/33 3.67Chigumbura, E (T) 33 3 154 5 30.80 2/24 4.66Chinyoka, I M (K) 25.1 1 118 5 23.60 2/41 4.68Chirwa, T (Q) 26 1 197 2 98.50 1/44 7.57Chitare, M (T) 2 0 18 0 — — 9.00Chiwara, D (OH) 9 0 53 5 10.60 5/53 5.89Chouhan, N (U) 13 0 62 0 — — 4.76Coulson, I M (OG) 35 5 136 6 22.66 2/17 3.88Coventry, C K (BAC) 7 0 49 2 24.50 2/49 7.00Cremer, G (HSC) 11 0 46 2 23.00 2/23 4.18Croxford, G M (U) 42 2 184 10 18.40 4/29 4.38Dabengwa, K M (BAC) 53 8 236 8 29.50 3/45 4.45de Grandhomme, C (Alex) 11 1 37 1 37.00 1/15 3.36Delport, C (K) 2 0 6 0 — — 3.00du Plessis, G (Alex) 28 4 75 4 18.75 2/21 2.67Duffin, T (K) 2.4 0 12 0 — — 4.50Durham, A M (HSC) 27 2 107 8 13.37 3/19 3.96Ervine, C (OH) 16 0 104 3 34.66 3/43 6.50Ervine, S M (K) 31.4 1 180 11 16.36 4/47 5.68Evans, C N (OG) 39.3 3 172 5 34.40 2/24 4.35Ewing, G M (BAC) 36.3 2 169 2 84.50 2/45 4.63Ewing, K (Q) 5 0 21 0 — — 4.20Flower, A (Mut) 17 1 49 3 16.33 2/37 2.88Flower, G W (OG) 32 3 66 8 8.25 4/14 2.06Fraser, A (OG) 3 0 21 2 10.50 2/21 7.00Friend, T J (K) 20 2 93 7 13.28 5/33 4.65Gilmour, A R G (Alex) 0.4 0 12 0 — — 18.00Gripper, T R (HSC) 45 6 145 4 36.25 2/20 3.22Hitz, J H (BAC) 3 0 31 0 — — 10.33Hoffman, A P (BAC) 50.2 6 248 11 22.54 4/29 4.92Hondo, D T (U) 10 3 27 2 13.50 2/27 2.70Johnston-Robertson, G (HSC) 14 2 46 4 11.50 3/18 3.28Karamba, T (K) 1 0 4 0 — — 4.00Koen, B (HSC) 6.1 0 29 2 14.50 2/29 4.70Kugotsi, A (Mut) 7 0 55 1 55.00 1/34 7.85Lamb, G A (K) 9 1 40 2 20.00 2/20 4.44Lewis, J M (Mut) 31 8 119 6 19.83 5/25 3.83Lombard, R (Q) 14 0 96 1 96.00 1/21 6.85Lurie, A (HSC) 3 0 22 0 — — 7.33Mackay, A J (OG) 53.2 7 165 14 11.78 3/21 3.09Macmillan, C (K) 43 2 197 9 21.88 3/38 4.58Mahwire, N B (U) 15.2 1 97 1 97.00 1/27 6.32Makoni, G (T) 2 0 18 2 9.00 2/18 9.00Makunura, S T (T) 12.3 0 52 4 13.00 4/14 4.23Manyande, R N (T) 21 1 113 2 56.50 2/53 5.38Marillier, D A (Alex) 47.5 1 206 5 41.20 2/33 4.30Marillier, S J (Alex) 29.1 1 159 5 31.80 2/22 5.45Marisa, S (Q) 7.3 0 46 0 — — 6.13Masakadza, H (T) 11.4 0 52 7 7.42 6/43 4.45Matambanadzo, D R (U) 31 0 138 3 46.00 3/60 4.45Matsikenyeri, S (T) 25 3 100 7 14.28 3/43 4.00Maungwa, A (T) 14 1 54 4 13.50 3/17 3.85Mbangwa, M (Q) 21.4 3 61 2 30.50 1/35 2.81Mboyi, T (Q) 14 0 103 1 103.00 1/34 7.35Mbwembwe, A (T) 20 2 91 2 45.50 1/17 4.55McKillop, M G (BAC) 1 0 5 0 — — 5.00Meth, K (Q) 15 0 68 2 34.00 1/24 4.53Mhandu, A (HSC) 28 1 187 3 62.33 2/44 6.67Mukondiwa, N (BAC) 24 2 130 2 65.00 1/19 5.41Mupariwa, T (BAC) 34.2 3 157 6 26.16 3/49 4.57Murphy, B A (U) 50 6 183 8 22.87 4/26 3.66Mutendera, D T (U/T) 14 1 68 1 68.00 1/18 4.85Mutendera, L (HSC) 1 0 8 0 — — 8.00Mutendera, L (HSC) 3.1 0 20 0 — — 6.31Muzah, G (T) 1 0 9 0 — — 9.00Mwayenga, A (HSC) 30 2 151 10 15.10 5/34 5.03Mwayenga, W (OG) 45 6 163 11 14.81 4/35 3.62Neethling, A J C (OG) 4 0 33 0 — — 8.25Nicolle, J S (BAC) 36 1 201 7 28.71 3/32 5.58Nicolle, M (BAC) 5 0 54 0 — — 10.80Nkala, M L (Q) 30 1 155 3 51.66 2/31 5.16Nyumbu, J (Q) 30 1 145 6 24.16 3/55 4.83Olonga, H K (T) 37 7 119 6 19.83 2/22 3.21Panyangara, T (T) 19 2 85 4 21.25 3/29 4.47Penney, A (HSC) 11 0 46 0 — — 4.18Price, R W (K) 42.4 12 99 6 16.50 2/21 2.32Rainsford, E C (K) 10 0 45 1 45.00 1/45 4.50Rennie, G J (Alex) 35 7 115 3 38.33 2/6 3.28Rinke, H P (OH) 58 5 263 6 43.83 3/43 4.53Rogers, B G (U) 37 2 148 5 29.60 2/25 4.00Ruswa, T (T) 2 0 23 0 — — 11.50Sanders, C J (K) 8 0 62 0 — — 7.75Sanyika, B (U) 15 0 104 3 34.66 3/39 6.93Scrooby, D (K) 3 0 18 0 — — 6.00Shah, S (U) 14 0 78 2 39.00 2/34 5.57Sibanda, V (K) 8 0 41 1 41.00 1/41 5.12Sims, R W (Mut) 36.2 6 121 6 20.16 2/5 3.33Smith, H (OH) 3 0 10 0 — — 3.33Soma, A D (Mut) 8 0 64 2 32.00 2/52 8.00Soma, L J (Mut) 35.1 2 128 10 12.80 5/32 3.63Staddon, B (BAC) 6 1 52 0 — — 8.67Stannard, D D (Alex) 50.4 2 196 5 39.20 1/17 3.86Strang, P A (OH) 25.2 7 78 4 19.50 3/13 3.07Streak, H H (Q) 7 4 10 0 — — 1.42Strydom, G M (Q) 7 1 36 1 36.00 1/36 5.14Swanepoel, G (Q) 2 0 11 0 — — 5.50Taylor, A L (Mut) 2 0 23 0 — — 11.50Taylor, K J (Mut) 8.5 2 36 4 9.00 4/19 4.07Townshend, M W (Q) 9 0 66 0 — — 7.33Utseya, P (T) 52.4 14 150 6 25.00 3/25 2.84van Rensburg, N R (Q) 18 0 74 2 37.00 2/36 4.11Vaughan-Davies, M J (K) 39 5 159 8 19.87 3/35 4.07Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 10.4 0 70 2 35.00 1/32 6.56Viljoen, D P (K) 42.2 3 149 8 18.62 2/23 3.51Went, K P R (Mut) 1 0 20 0 — — 20.00Whittall, G J (Mut) 22 5 73 4 18.25 2/28 3.31Williams, S (BAC) 15 1 76 3 25.33 3/44 5.0610 OR MORE WICKETSO M R W Av. Best RateMackay, A J (OG) 53.2 7 165 14 11.78 3/21 3.09Blignaut, A M (Alex) 55.4 6 241 13 18.53 6/18 4.32Mwayenga, W (OG) 45 6 163 11 14.81 4/35 3.62Ervine, S M (K) 31.4 1 180 11 16.36 4/47 5.68Hoffman, A P (BAC) 50.2 6 248 11 22.54 4/29 4.92Bennett, R J (OG) 50.3 4 268 11 24.36 3/34 5.56Soma, L J (Mut) 35.1 2 128 10 12.80 5/32 3.63Croxford, G M (U) 42 2 184 10 18.40 4/29 4.38Mwayenga, A (HSC) 30 2 151 10 15.10 5/34 5.03BEST AVERAGES (25 overs)O M R W Av. Best RateFlower, G W (OG) 32 3 66 8 8.25 4/14 2.06Mackay, A J (OG) 53.2 7 165 14 11.78 3/21 3.09Soma, L J (Mut) 35.1 2 128 10 12.80 5/32 3.63Durham, A M (HSC) 27 2 107 8 13.37 3/19 3.96Matsikenyeri, S (T) 25 3 100 7 14.28 3/43 4.00Mwayenga, W (OG) 45 6 163 11 14.81 4/35 3.62Mwayenga, A (HSC) 30 2 151 10 15.10 5/34 5.03Ervine, S M (K) 31.4 1 180 11 16.36 4/47 5.68Price, R W (K) 42.4 12 99 6 16.50 2/21 2.32Bala, S (HSC) 58 11 162 9 18.00 3/22 2.79Croxford, G M (U) 42 2 184 10 18.40 4/29 4.38Blignaut, A M (Alex) 55.4 6 241 13 18.53 6/18 4.32Viljoen, D P (K) 42.2 3 149 8 18.62 2/23 3.51du Plessis, G (Alex) 28 4 75 4 18.75 2/21 2.67Strang, P A (OH) 25.2 7 78 4 19.50 3/13 3.07Olonga, H K (T) 37 7 119 6 19.83 2/22 3.21Lewis, J M (Mut) 31 8 119 6 19.83 5/25 3.83Vaughan-Davies, M J (K) 39 5 159 8 19.87 3/35 4.07BEST RUN RATES (25 or more overs)O M R W Av. Best RateFlower, G W (OG) 32 3 66 8 8.25 4/14 2.06Price, R W (K) 42.4 12 99 6 16.50 2/21 2.32du Plessis, G (Alex) 28 4 75 4 18.75 2/21 2.67Bala, S (HSC) 58 11 162 9 18.00 3/22 2.79Utseya, P (T) 52.4 14 150 6 25.00 3/25 2.84

ScorecardAs expected, Mashonaland used the third day to recover from a regular first-innings aberration and turn the screws on the hapless Matabeleland team. The feature of the day was a monumental unbeaten 181 from Stuart Carlisle, his fourth century of the year out of seven in his 11 years in first-class cricket. Matabeleland, set 424 to win, struggled to 82 for three at the close.From 134 for one overnight, Mashonaland ground their way to 442 for six, built around Carlisle’s 6½ innings, before declaring. Matabeleland seemed resigned to defeat from the start, bowling a negative line outside off stump from the start and after tea putting nine fielders on the boundary to their spinners.Carlisle’s innings included 15 fours and 7 sixes. Dion Ebrahim made 70 before edging one of Mbangwa’s width balls to the keeper, while there were useful contributions from Tatenda Taibu (31), Elton Chigumbura (32), Andy Blignaut (45) and Ryan Butterworth (29 not out).There was time before the close for Mluleki Nkala to show real class with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 28, but his team faces a virtually hopeless task.Day 2 Bulletin

West Indies 197 for 2 (Gayle 112*, Lara 41) beat Zimbabwe 196 (Vermeulen 36, Gayle 4-24) by 8 wickets, and won series 3-2
Scorecard

Capitulation under pressure: it was a familiar old story for Zimbabwe, whohave done much to regain international respect during this series, except in this one area. First the West Indian spinners cut through the middleorder like a knife through butter, and then their batsmen hammered their way to victory with almost half their overs to spare. The dominant figure for West Indies was once again Chris Gayle, the Man of the Series, who took 4 for 24 and then blasted yet another century off his favourite opponents. West Indies thus took the series by three victories to two.After Zimbabwe were shot out for an under-par 196, West Indies’ policy was to reach their target by dominating rather than accumulating. Gayle and Wavell Hinds survived a couple of good overs from Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut before going into overdrive. Lady Luck was with them, presumably having turned her back on Zimbabwe in disgust: Hinds, when 11, survived a high catch that Tatenda Taibu was too short to pull in, and several other lofted shots just evaded the fielders. Hinds’s luck eventually ran out as a shorter, faster ball from Blignaut took him by surprise and he skyed a catch to mid-on for 13 (43 for 1).But by now Zimbabwe’s bowlers had lost their control, and Gayle raced to another fifty in just 39 balls. He then speeded up, and reached his second century of this series off just 69 deliveries. Meanwhile Brian Lara targeted Ray Price again, driving his second and third balls for six. It became a massacre, in which even Lara was overshadowed by the rampant Gayle.Zimbabwe’s fielders were mere bystanders against such brilliance, and itcame as a shock when Sean Ervine surprised Lara with a yorker and extracted his leg stump for 41 (180 for 2). If Lara has a weakness, this is it – but he does score a few runs in between. It took Gayle and Ricardo Powell only two more overs to finish the match, and the series, in a flurry of boundaries.It had been an overcast morning in Harare and much rain was predicted for later in the day – but in the event it held off until the match was over. Streak won the toss again and decided to bat, no doubt wary of fielding again after the events of the previous day. West Indies fielded an unchanged team, but Zimbabwe gave a debut to Alester Maregwede, a batsman, in place of Stuart Matsikenyeri.The left-handed Barney Rogers, tall with bushy fair hair, played a handsome innings, standing tall and driving with authority, while Edwards was scarcely recognisable as the same bowler who had caused such havoc the day before, and bowled five early overs for 37. The openers put on 39, and enjoyed some of the luck that had helped West Indies 24 hours earlier, with Vusi Sibanda dropped off a straightforward chance to second slip when 5. But Sibanda ran himself out for 8, calling for a riskyleg-bye.Rogers made 34 before Mervyn Dillon returned for a second spell and had him caught at the wicket off a ball moving away off the pitch (57 for 2). But generally the bowlers found little swing or seam, and the inexperienced Ravi Rampaul, apart from the occasional wide, was the most consistent of the seamers.It was when the spinners came on that Zimbabwe fell over themselves to give it away. Craig Wishart played what many might term a typical innings,playing some class strokes, including a six off Rampaul into the westernstand, but he had made only 16 when he cut Gayle and was caught off a thick edge by Ridley Jacobs (107 for 3). Gayle struck twice more in the next two overs, removing the debutant Maregwede without scoring and Vermeulen for 36, both caught at midwicket, and both soft dismissals (111 for 5).Yet again Zimbabwe were proving that they cannot handle pressure, especially when batting. Streak never looked in touch during his laborious 30, but Taibu and Blignaut both looked briefly capable of sharing a rescuing partnership, only to surrender their wickets weakly after doing the hard work. Powell took two wickets and three catches, including a brilliant one to remove Ervine. Zimbabwe’s 196 was never likely to be enough in good batting conditions, and so it proved.West Indies thus move on to South Africa with their tails up after narrow victories in both the Test (1-0) and one-day (3-2) series. There have been many encouraging signs for Zimbabwe, too – but their batsmen have to learn how to handle the pressure-cooker of international cricket better.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Australia’s mighty batting line-up capitulated for just 93 in the face of some magnificent bowling from Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik, as India pulled off a scarcely credible 13-run victory in the final Test at the Wankhede Stadium. Australia might have already won the series, but for an Indian team under the cosh since the third Test at Nagpur, it was a triumph to savour. Though the bowlers will get most of the plaudits, many of the hard yards had been done earlier in the day, with Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman scripting superb half-centuries before Michael Clarke uncurled his golden arm.But no-one could steal the limelight from Harbhajan. When Dravid recalled him into the attack, after Australia had crept to within 14 of the modest 107 they needed, he had Michael Kasprowicz caught at leg slip, and Glenn McGrath taken at slip to leave India victorious, and Jason Gillespie unconquered on an obdurate 9 that had spanned 51 balls.Zaheer Khan, destined for nothing more than a supporting role on this dustbowl, had given India the perfect fillip when Australia started their pursuit, with Justin Langer edging one to Dravid at first slip. And after a quick flurry of fours from Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, Dravid opted for spin at both ends, with Kartik taking over from Zaheer.The impact was immediate. Ponting was caught by Laxman at second slip after the edge had initially gone on to Dinesh Karthik’s thigh-pad, and Damien Martyn, Australia’s most assured batsman in this series, lasted just five balls, trapped in front on the back foot by the last ball of the over (24 for 3).

That was the wobble. The quake started in earnest when Simon Katich aimed a drive at Harbhajan to give Dravid another scalp at slip. Hayden (24) was still a menace though, cutting Harbhajan for four and then miscuing one down to the fence at long-off. But when he attempted a sweep to one pitched outside leg, the ball trickled onto the stumps via glove and pad. Harbhajan celebrated, and Australia’s hopes nosedived.Kartik then bowled Clarke, and the collective delirium intensified when Tendulkar took a simple catch on the square-leg boundary after Adam Gilchrist had essayed a senseless sweep. But though India were in the box seat, the drama was far from over. Nathan Hauritz chiselled out 15 from 18 balls, and with Gillespie in thou-shall-not-pass mode, the target was whittled down by 20.Anil Kumble, on for Harbhajan, provided the crucial breakthrough, with Aleem Dar giving India the benefit of the doubt after Hauritz was struck on the pad in front of leg stump. But Gillespie and Kasprowicz then weathered the assault for over half an hour while eking out 15, before the voluble Harbhajan had the final word.Such a gripping contest had appeared very unlikely when Clarke, who had already given India plenty of heartache with the bat in this series, turned in a stunning spell with the ball either side of tea. Dravid, who had compiled a patient 27, was his first victim, caught off the glove by Gilchrist, and Karthik’s prod was expertly grabbed by Ponting at silly point (188 for 6). With tea only moments away, Kaif – who was sprightly and fluent on his way to 25 – padded up to one that pitched in line and straightened.

The procession continued after the interval, as Harbhajan, Kartik and Zaheer managed just two runs between them to leave Clarke with the astonishing figures of 6 for 9 from 6.2 overs. For a while in the morning, it had seemed that the likes of Clarke wouldn’t be needed, with McGrath sorting out both openers. Gautam Gambhir edged one to slip, and Virender Sehwag inexplicably shouldered arms to one that nipped back as India slumped to 14 for 2.That brought McGrath and Tendulkar face to face in a Test for the final time. Laxman was already in the middle, promoted to the No. 3 slot from which he had scripted his Kolkata magnum opus, and after the first 11 overs of the innings produced just 15, the next three went for 30 with both men uncorking some champagne strokes.Ponting then called on Hauritz, but there was to be no repeat of yesterday’s dream spell. Tendulkar stroked one through cover and then slammed one into the stand bearing his name as he raced to a 62-ball half-century. For the first time in a fair while, there was a real urgency to Tendulkar’s method. When he not stroking boundaries with a flourish, he worked the ball into the gaps and scampered singles and twos that often had the leaden-footed Laxman struggling. He batted with the panache and fluency of old for his 55, before an attempt to fetch the ball to leg only resulted in a top-edged skyer that was beautifully caught on the run by Clarke.Dravid was never fluent, save for a brief phase after lunch when he drove Hauritz with a flourish through midwicket and cover, but his presence allowed Laxman freedom to go for his shots. But the attacking intent, especially against Hauritz, was to be his undoing. After bisecting the leg-side field with a pull and piercing the off side with a fabulous cover-drive, he smashed the next ball in the direction of long-off, only to watch in amazement as Hauritz dived to his left to snaffle the chance (153 for 4).By then, Laxman had sauntered to 69, and in the final analysis, it – and Tendulkar’s gorgeous cameo – made all the difference, as Australia’s dream of a 3-0 series win went up in huge puffs of Mumbai dust.