achieved one of the most remarkable

victories in Test cricket's 130-year history -16 straight wins.

It was a great game, despite some appalling umpiring decisions and poor sportsmanship (Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting claiming a wicket Rafter clearly grounding the ball during a

catch, to mention just one stand-out).

The result was somewhat less remarkable - India lost again.

Then all hell broke loose, following a lot of side-of-the-mouth sledging from both sides.

The nemesis of Ponting, the bowler Harbhajan Singh, is suspended for three matches, accused of racism after allegedly calling Andrew Symonds, a ''monkey.''

There's a huge protest from India, whose

effigy-burning populace accuse the Aussies of dishing out the dirt but not being able to take it. The Indian stockmarket crashes, Mumbai-based call centre operators go on strike, refusing to man the outsourced switches to Australian business. The Aussie dollar slumps, bank interest rates soar, default mortgages are called in.

Anil Kumble, the respected Indian captain, claims Australia plays against the spirit of the game, actually trying to win and exhibiting triumphalism by scoffing meat pies and beer at stumps, when clearly red and green Asian curries and lassi were more suitable to hot climates.

Singh, who did two faltering cartwheels with side-pikes after bowling out Ponting for the 37th time, was not overtly triumphant himself.

He was just showing his new style while preparing for the India v Pakistan diving championships scheduled for after the Perh Test this week.

There were calls for Ponting, one of our most successful skippers, to be sacked for his poor sportsmanship in not allowing India a draw. And the call for his dismissal came from our side, not India's! So much for Ponting, the sacred cow.

There were suggestions from some quarters that to avoid further conflict and bad blood between the two sides, they should play with themselves.

This suggestion was quickly tossed off and it's now been agreed that in the spirit of renewed co-operation, Ricky Ponting will head the Indian batting line-up and Anil Kumble will

lead Australia onto the pitch in Perth.

Howzat!