Batting was a bit like a lottery

Although the final result is a major disappointment, the greater disappointment to me is that the final Test match was reduced to the standard of cricket witnessed in Mumbai.

Two days before the Test, I wrote for a different publication: "If the pitch in Nagpur came as a surprise, the one here in Mumbai hasn't come as any surprise at all. In fact, it looks like such a typical Indian pitch that it won't surprise anyone if the ball turns square on it from the first ball of the match.

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"So much has been made here in India about the healthy covering of grass in Nagpur, that the dust bowl we witnessed this morning - two days out from the Test - is exactly what the Indian spinners, and to a lesser degree batsmen, would have been praying for since we arrived.

"Traditionally, touring teams expect these type of pitches when they visit India. There is no doubt it makes for intense and difficult conditions for the opposition batsmen, who simply aren't used to combating this style of spin-friendly cricket; especially when India tend have world class spin bowlers at their disposal."

Experience suggested to me that this pitch for the final Test could be a handful for any batsman, but I could never have predicted just how difficult a surface this was to play on. It has been suggested that batting was a bit like a lottery, as it was at times impossible to read the bounce, turn or seam produced throughout the two days of Test cricket.

Sure India won the match and I wouldn't like to think that my disappointment sounds like sour grapes, but I would hope that the articles I have written in the past show that I am not one for making excuses, criticizing anyone or anything, or displaying anything but a balanced account of what goes on as an international cricketer.

It is just that a Test match between two great teams shouldn't be over in two days, and if it is, there must be a contributing factor that has made such a scenario occur. After one of the best series I have been a part of, it is bitterly disappointing and frustrating that the players, the supporters and the administrators of the game weren't entertained and captivated by twenty-two of the best players they are likely to see.

The battle was so one-sided in favour of ball over the bat that I would challenge anyone who suggests such a game is good for Test cricket. It is always my belief that the bigger picture should be always be considered and I am not sure that in the greater scale of things the game of cricket has been fairly portrayed in this instance.

Postcards from Langer on the 2001 tour

It will be a pity flying back to Australia feeling this way because, overall, this tour has been one of the best of my career. We arrived determined and focussed on achieving a series win and we can proudly say this ambition was achieved.

Every game has been a titanic struggle. India are a great side and regardless of the way this final Test was played, the score line of two one is arguably a fair representation of the series. There is no tougher cricket than the Tests I have played against India and I feel the rivalry between our countries is getting healthier after every encounter.

Our respect for each other is strong and it is through this respect and admiration for each other's abilities that the battle line has been drawn for future confrontations.

All in all, I have loved my time in India and while I am looking forward to getting home to my family and the faster bouncier pitches of Australia, I am already looking forward to my next visit.

Thanks from the Australian team for your wonderful hospitality and love for your country and the game of cricket. We have enjoyed almost every minute of it.

From Mumbai,