INDIA put themselves in a strong position to deny Australia a new Test wins record thanks to some valiant batting from VVS Laxman and a fine all-round showing from Irfan Pathan in the third Test at the WACA.

JUST an hour’s play was possible yesterday on the second day of the second Test between India and England in Mohali due to bad light and rain.

KEVIN PIETERSEN was caught short once again as England struggled to exert their authority on a stop-start opening day of the second Test.

Damien Martyn, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz paid the price for Australia’s Ashes failure Tuesday when they were axed from the Test squad to face a World XI next month.

STEVE WAUGH’S dismissal has robbed an expectant cricket nation of a fairy-tale finish to the Australian great’s playing career.