Having decided to take the busway - the tarmac equivalent of the underground - to the Gabba from South Bank, I find myself boxed in by a motley crew of Australian fans

Just when Michael Slater's supporters were rousing themselves from slumber to barrack for his recall into the Australian XI, Justin Langer chose the perfect moment to ride his luck - and play some magnificent shots - all the way to a 16th Test

Just when Michael Slater's supporters were rousing themselves from slumber to barrack for his recall into the Australian XI, Justin Langer chose the perfect moment to ride his luck - and play some magnificent shots - all the way to a 16th Test

Sourav Ganguly certainly isn't expecting any favours from the Australian bowlers when the first Test of the four-match series against Australia gets underway at the Gabba in Brisbane tomorrow

Sourav Ganguly certainly isn't expecting any favours from the Australian bowlers when the first Test of the four-match series against Australia gets underway at the Gabba in Brisbane tomorrow

Brisbane, according to the bus driver who took us into the centre, is the biggest city (area-wise) in the Southern Hemisphere

Brisbane, according to the bus driver who took us into the centre, is the biggest city (area-wise) in the Southern Hemisphere

Australia clinch the TVS Cup with a 37-run victory at Kolkata

Two years, eight months, and two days have passed since that moment, one destined to have a special place in the cricket histories of both Indian and Australia

By 4pm Indian time, New Zealand's sports fans were readying themselves to pick up the pieces

Irfan Pathan, currently on Ranji Trophy duty for Baroda, was woken up in the dead of night with the news that he had found a place in the 16-man squad that embarks on a tour of Australia later this month

The final league game of the TVS Cup is a crucial one, both in terms of this tournament as well as India's selections for Australia

It's taken Indian cricket less than eight months to proceed from the almost-sublime - the World Cup final - to the very ridiculous

The scene near Anil Kumble Circle half an hour before the game would have appealed to those addicted to chaos

India's batsmen tilted bravely at windmills in the best traditions of Don Quixote, but ultimately, they were undone by a magnificent spell of bowling from one of Australia's forgotten men, and the ineptitude of their own bowlers earlier in the day

Javagal Srinath has announced his retirement from international cricket after thirteen years

Javagal Srinath's was a stellar, if not spectacular, contribution

India are under pressure to beat Australia as they face the consequence of not making the final of the TVS Cup

In a way, the hysteria that followed the NatWest triumph, and the run to the World Cup final, symbolised everything that is rotten about Indian cricket, primarily our easily satiated appetite

Australia's batting depth, and New Zealand's profligate attitude to catching, ultimately decided an engrossing game