Ganguly rues lost chances

Skipper Sourav Ganguly, on Wednesday evening, rued the spate of runs-outs of his batsmen at crucial junctures in the second One-Day International against Australia, at Pune, and said the spinners should have performed better on an increasingly turning pitch.

"The three run-outs did not help us. Dravid and Laxman, who are both in great form, were also run-out after both were set," a disappointed Ganguly said after India's eight-wicket defeat.

Ganguly, who again failed with the bat, felt India could have been in with a chance had they scored another 30 runs.

"Thirty runs more would have been safe," he said.

Talking about the pitch, the skipper said, "I thought it would turn but not like this."

He praised the efforts of man-of-the-match Mark Waugh, saying: "He played superbly. There are three more games to go and we will come back tougher for the next".

Winning captain Steve Waugh said he thought a score of 248 was "very competitive especially if you get a couple of early wickets.

"Though our bowling was satisfactory, the batting was excellent."

Lauding Matthew Hayden, who's showing has been exceptional in the series, Steve Waugh said, "Today also he continued to play well. He gave us a fantastic start. Mark (Waugh) too batted well in an excellent partnership."

He agreed that crucial Indian run-outs helped his team strengthen its chances in the match. "There were a couple of misfields and our fielding was average but full credit to our batsmen."

Mark Waugh, who made a match-winning 133 off 138 balls to register his 18th one-day ton, said: "The wicket was a little bit slow and initially it was tough. I had to get through the new ball because there was always the chance of nicking the ball.

"The first five-six overs I was cautious and then I concentrated on hitting the ball into the gaps and running hard to put pressure on the fielders."

The stylish right-hander admitted he was disappointed with his dismissal in Bangalore where he was castled by Srinath for five and said he tried "to be patient here".

Match report

Images from the match

Mail Cricket Editor