We are still positive about the series, says Steve Waugh

Both Steve Waugh and Sourav Ganguly felt that it were the Indian batsmen who changed the complexion of the game at the Eden Gardens. Both also stated that they would go for a win in the final Test.

Waugh appeared to be a bit philosophical in the post-match press conference. "A loss is bad. But then that is not the end of the world. Life goes on." However, insiders to the Australian dressing room informed that the entire team had been shocked by the result. In fact, there were some who never dreamt that India would come back in the series at the Eden Gardens. "But then that has happened and you have got to pick yourself up and prepare for the battles ahead," he said.

The Australian captain also added that it was ordinary batting that led to the downfall. "You cannot expect to save a Test match when you bat so poorly. Now we have got to be on our guard at Chennai. Obviously we would have liked a three-day match between the Test matches. But then you have to adjust with what you have got."

Waugh also stated that this was probably his last game at the Eden Gardens. "I do not really know the fixtures. However, this is probably the last time that I have played here. The atmosphere has been fantastic always. I would have been happy if we had managed to win the match. But then cricket does not always fulfill your aspirations."

Waugh was all praise for Harbhajan Singh and Laxman. However, even though he complimented them, he refused to speak much about them. "India batted us out of the match. Harbhajan also bowled well. But then I would not like to talk to much about the Indian players."

The Australian captain also added that when India had taken a lead of around 300 runs, he had given up hopes of winning the game. "Till the lead was restricted below 300, I had gone for a win. However, it is rare for a team in the fourth innings to get over 300 and win. That is why I had tried to slow down the game after the tea-break on the fourth day."

Waugh also did not have any complaints regarding the pitch. "Any fifth day pitch in India will spin," he said. "It's just that we did not bat well during the match." The Australian skipper also did not rue the decision to make India follow on. "In the last nine innings that India has played against us, they have not managed to score much. So it was a team decision to make them again." However, he did not agree with a view that the pressure of batting on the fifth day got to them. "I agree that most of the 16 matches that we have played have finished well within four days. However, if you analyze the results of those matches you will see that we were in some critical situations."

The Australian skipper also made it clear that the team spirit would not be affected by the loss. "The 17th Test has not gone well for us. But that does not mean that the guys have stopped talking to one another. We have won 16 in a row. That is a fantastic achievement and it will take some beating. So the guys are still pretty positive about the series."

Waugh said that it was one of the greatest Test matches that he has played. "Obviously, it would have figured in my list of memorable games if we had won. But even then this has been a thrilling game, especially with the swings of the game. India had some great batsmen who simply took away the game from us. But even then the charm of this particular game will remain with me."