India win series 1-0 after 3rd Test ends in a draw

Bangalore, December 23: The third and final Test between India and England ended in a draw at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday, with the final day's play being called off without a ball being bowled, thanks to overnight rain and more drizzles in the morning.

Even as the umpires were contemplating an inspection at 11 a.m., a fresh shower put paid to any chances of the match being played at all. England were 33 for no loss overnight with Mark Butcher and Marccus Trescothick at the crease, and that is how it ended, giving India a 1-0 series win thanks to the victory in the first Test in Mohali.

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, asked how the series had progressed said: "We played in Mohali but things did not quite go our way since then. We saved the Test in Ahmedabad, but here also England were in a position of ascendancy.

"Our bowlers did well but it is the batting that needs to be looked into. They had a first innings lead of about 100 runs and were better position to set the tone.

"But we were far from losing the match here."

Asked about the England tactics of bowling a line wide outside leg stump, Ganguly said: "They had their own tactics. That kind of strategy can be negative or positive. But in order to get 20 wickets and win a Test, it is important to attack from both ends at times.

"You have seen how Nasser (Hussain) handled the spinners. The spinners were used only to stop the runs.

"India is the best place for the spinners to bowl and maybe they should have done so."

His own batting form is causing concern to the skipper. "Obviously, I am worried about my batting form. I have been having a tough time in the longer version of the game. But I have been doing pretty well in the one-dayers.

"In Tests, I am getting to the 30s and 40s and then getting out. I have had too many starts but I am not continuing.

Ganguly claimed that the pitches in the three Tests had not given India any home advantage. "But that is the way it goes. It is up to the curator to provide the wickets. You can keep complaining but that does not serve any purpose."

Coach John Wright said Ahmedabad had seen some weak points. "We did not catch very well in Ahmedabad and there were many soft dismissals." Asked what kind of plans were being made to counter these shortcomings, Wright stated: "I have always maintained that in many ways, cricket is a very simple game. You will do well as long as you do the basics well. "You can plan for individuals for a period of time. You cannot captain the side from off the field."

Asked about the use of three spinners here, Ganguly said that the groundsman had told them that the pitch would turn straightaway. "The Bangalore pitch was bare and dry and we thought that it would take turn. But the rain and the moisture also held the track together."

Hussain was evidently satisfied at how the series had gone. "I was pretty chuffed from Mohali itself. Scoring 200 for three on the very first day was a good achievement.

"We played good cricket throughout and I am pleased at the way the boys performed.

"In terms of gain, I think the biggest was in team morale and spirit, and a lot of credit for that goes to the off-the-field staff.

"The young lad stood up and contributed, and that gives us more numbers to choose from in the future.

"The experience they have gained here is invaluable. We have a fine coach and that along with the experience will make them better players. This is something they will take back to England and their counties and let others know."

Asked about Ashley Giles' now-notorious bowling line against Sachin Tendulkar, Hussain reacted strongly. "We got them (India) out for 290 in Ahmedabad and 230 here. Against the Australians, they scored 570 for six in Kolkata, with Laxman remaining 280-odd not out.

"You cannot go into to bowl against batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar without a plan.

"Maybe next time we will go in without a plan," Hussain said, taking a dig at an English journalist. "Maybe we will go in and ask the batsmen where they would like to be bowled. That may get us better results."

Hussain stressed that all the misgivings about security were unfounded. "We knew that anyway, even before we left. We knew it was not about India but the situation in general. Even on Saturday there was this incident with and aircraft in America.