You really do come out with quite remarkable statements at times, Ernest: I was thinking of starting a thread asking if anyone can think of a single series, EVER, that gave quite such cause for despondency. The series has been littered with truly abject performances on both sides. Not once in four tests have we witnessed both teams playing great cricket for consecutive sessions let alone for consecutive days. The standard of cricket has, in a word, been abject.

The series between India and Australia this summer was a serious low for the sport.. but at least ONE side turned up. In this series NEITHER side has turned up.

The repeated capitulation of assorted sides around the world (Ind, NZ and Pak vs the Aussies, WI vs Eng, SA vs everyone, etc) made 2004 a year that is basically one to forget (redeemed only slightly by a spirited but vain performance by the Sri Lankans in their home series against Australia).

This series, more even than the farce that was the series between Pakistan and Australia, underlines the shocking state of world cricket right now.. which is finally closing on the point where not even a rest of the world XI would present a serious challenge for the Aussies.

How you find any cause for cheer in this series at this moment quite escapes me: I can find cheer in the promise of certain new players like Pathan, Butt, Kaneria, Clarke, Strauss, Bravo and De Villiers.. but that's about it!