Not the end of the
world: Steve Waugh

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

Australia skipper Steve Waugh was a dejected man after the stunning defeat to India in the second Test, at the Eden Gardens, on Thursday. Understandably so, considering that the loss ended his side's 16 successive Test-win streak.

Speaking at the post-match briefing, he confessed that the 171-run defeat came as a shock to him. He, however, heaped praise on the Indian team for their remarkable comeback after being forced to follow-on.

He said his prime focus now is to concentrate on the third and final Test at Madras, which begins in three days time.

"I must give full credit to the Indians who fought back into the game brilliantly. But I believe that there is always a chance of a dramatic result on the last day. Once India got 300 runs lead, they were always in the driving seat. I knew we were never gonna win the game. It was in the last session when we began focussing on saving the match," Waugh said, adding, "16 successive wins had indeed taken its beating at Eden."

Asked whether his side crumbled due to insurmountable pressure following the Indians' impressive showing with the bat in the second innings, Waugh said his players had played under even more pressure on many occasions in the past.

He described the match as a "great Test match" adding that it no longer remained great for the Australians since they had suffered a humiliating defeat.

Waugh admitted that VVS Laxman’s innings was what had proved pivotal in shaping India's surprise victory.

He said, "It is pretty obvious that Laxman played a great innings under pressure. Once he could set his rhythm, there was no looking back for him. Having said that, I guess this is not the end of the world. We will try and win the third and final Test in order to win the series."

Waugh refused to comment on the umpiring when asked his views on some controversial decisions that brought about his team's downfall. Instead, he said his team would try and forget Thursday’s defeat and look to the future.

So what was the turning point of the last day?

Waugh said there were many. The great partnership between Rahul Dravid and Laxman, and Harbhajan Singh’s lethal bowling were what changed the game, he said.

He concluded by saying that his team lost to a very good Indian side.

Match report - Day 5

Bahutule, Nilesh Kulkarni in team for final Test

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