England in India

Ian Botham insisted on Monday that England deserved to at least draw the series and that only the weather robbed them of a chance to stun the Indians on their home soil.

The former all-rounder/turned commentator singled out England's bowlers for their superb contribution and maintained that India would struggle to beat them when the two sides meet next summer.

South Africa in Australia

Regular rain delays turned the traditional spectacle of Boxing Day in Melbourne into a frustrating farce, as South Africa crept to 27 for 1 in the 15 overs bowled by the afternoon session.

Herschelle Gibbs was the man out, edging Glenn McGrath to second slip for 14 as floodlights tried to pierce the gloom.

Miscellaneous

"Brett Lee was recovering his rhythm in the same way that Australia's leg-spinner Shane Warne eventually returned to his best after serious shoulder and finger injuries in recent years, He hasn't got back to what he was before but he's making progress most of the time," Waugh said.

Lee, 25, made his debut two years ago at Melbourne Cricket Ground against India, boasting match figures of 7-78.

The blond speedster took 42 wickets at 16.07 from his first seven tests before suffering an elbow injury during the 2000-01 season that required surgery.

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