India put the icing on the cake

India put the icing on the cake with their victory over Australia in the fourth and final Test on Monday, a win that sealed a 2-0 series triumph, the first time that the Aussies have lost a Test series since the 2005 Ashes.

Chasing 382 for victory, they made a good start and at one stage India seemed nervy but a flurry of wickets did the trick and the home side can celebrate a well-earned victory.

Not only is it the first time Australia have lost a series since 2005, it is only the second such result since 2001, when India triumphed 2-1 in a fabulous series. The home side can clearly match the Aussies when they are on song and these could be interesting times for both sides.

India, if they can cope with the retirements of Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly, should go from strength to strength but Australia have some problems in the bowling department, short in depth of their seam attack and missing a genuine world-class spinner.

The 2-0 result is even more significant when you realise that it is nine years since Australia last lost a series to nil, their 1-0 defeat in Sri Lanka in 1999 the last time they failed to win a match in a losing series. (they did draw 0-0 with New Zealand in 2001)

So, India will be full of confidence as they prepare for a two-Test series against an improving England side, while Australia look like they need a break to get themselves rejuvenated in time for their next series, and then next summer's Ashes in England.