Test cricket stands for a lot...A test of patience, a test a skill, a test of stamina and much more. But the second test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground test the India camp in many other aspects. Their dignity, grace and tolerance were put to test. The Australian cricket team put up an excellent show recovering from grave situations clinching their 16thconsecutive test victory, equaling Steven Waugh's record. The whole match was well fought and the mighty

Australians finished the battle in their typical style choking the Indian tail. The Aussies made no effort to hold their celebratons back showing the pleasure they got sucking out the life out of India.

The first day of the match wow Australia in a seemingly dire situation. But just like American super heroes, Andrew Symonds and Brad Hogg came together and pulled thier team out of the ditch. This surely happened thanks to an Emergency Rescue squad comprising of three gentlemen that were also the umpires for the match. This is when the agony for the men in blue began. A stumping appeal against Symonds went to the third umpire. The big boy was surely out of the popping crease but the umpire didn't think so. Probably the television set in his box was, lets say, of a different make. The second stumping appeal against Symonds was not even refered to the third umpire owing to Steve Bucknor's complacenty. Symonds went on to score a hundred and the Australians were safe.

As the match progressed V.V.S Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar got centuries giving India a 69 run lead. Both the centurians were in overdrive and put India in a comfortable position. The came Australia's second innings and to be concise, they gave India a target of 333. The full Nelson, though, was going to act against the tourists this time.

India started batting on the last day and Bret Lee Bombed Wasim Jaffer with a ripper of a yorker. The ball was so good that Lee's front foot crossing the popping crease wa too mundane to be mentioned. Rahul Dravid was the rescue squads next victim. He was given out caught behind when everything to do with his bat or gloves was a good two inches away from the ball.

Sourav Ganguly's dismissal was, virtually, the last nail in Indias coffin. The decision was contreversial once again. But the relevision aids are for the inexperienced. The umpire prefered to ask the captain of the Australian team instead. Why would an Australian cricketer, so close to victory, care to fib. Sourav Ganguly was asked to walk backto the pavillion. Should we be thankful he wasn't charged for showing descent towards an established ICC umpire? Michael Clarke cleared up the Indian tail taking three wickets in an over. Many Australians and neutrals said that such mistakes are a part of the game; but it is more important to maintain the human aspect of cricket. The good old "free from technology” attitude. It is always easier to be a naturalist