India left one run short

Having gone into day 5 with little chance of a win, India set themselves up for a relatively easy win and then managed to contrive a draw with the scores equal. Ashwin played a blinder in the match overall, but his lack of agility cost him towards the end of the match as twos were turned into ones and - although he was highly unlikely to make the 2 needed to win the match off the final ball - his laborious running and turning left him three quarters of the length of the wicket short.

After 10 wickets for the Indian spinners in the West Indies 2nd innings and a typical Sehwag start, the match was there for India to win without over-exerting themselves but set batsmen kept getting themselves out. Sehwag, Dravid and Laxman will all feel they threw their wickets away. That left Dhoni with Kambli and he looked to be playing his usual nerveless knock to see his team to victory. But he was caught low at extra cover leaving a lot of pressure on Kambli. Again, he looked like - with Ashwin - he was soaking it up and would see India over the line, but for the second time in the game he threw his wicket away having scored a half century top edging to short third man.

By himself with the tail, Ashwin couldn't quite get India over the line despite great help from West Indies. A throw well wide of the keeper from Sammy towards the end not only conceded an extra run but allowed Ashwin to retain the strike. And with 3 to win off 3 balls, Aaron played the ball to mid off, ran, and should have been run out easily but for a fumble my Marlon Samuels. Ashwin then blocked the punultimate ball and could only score a single of the final delivery after hitting the ball to long on.

So not exactly quality cricket, but another nail biting Test. There seems to be growing support for Tests to be properly supported by the boards - I see that Haroon Lorgat seems to be taking no responsibility for the fact ODIs and Twenty20 have been prioritised over Tests (seems a bit of an abdication of responsibility?). And Graeme Swann would love to see the end of ODIs leaving two formats of cricket, which I've long been a fan of.

Time will tell if Tests have a resurgence, but last ball finishes can only help.