Groundstaff were kept busy by the rain

Kumble managed just one wicket in the first innings at Bangalore - and that was Hoggard - and it is no coincidence that England posted decent totals in both games.

James Foster's contribution with the bat must not be forgotten.

He helped White add 105 at Ahmedabad, and only narrowly missed his first half century in the first innings here.

Add to that his growing reliability behind the stumps, and I believe that Alec Stewart's latest offer to replace Graham Thorpe in the one day international series' in India and New Zealand will be met with a polite "Thanks, but no thanks."

Look to the future

England made their decision to go with Foster when Stewart originally withdrew. It would be alarmingly short-sighted if they were to change course now, because the World Cup is only 14 months away.

Stewart will be 40 by then and, surely, batting high in the order and keeping wicket at that level will be beyond him by then.

It's always tempting to consider Stewart because he adds depth to England's batting, and on this trip the all-rounders, Flintoff and White, have had altogether different experiences.

Flintoff has bowled his heart out and with a great deal of pace, but his batting has been awful.

Nasser Hussain has enhanced his reputation

White, on the other hand, scored his maiden century and looked the part at number 7 but looks finished as a pace bowler.

This will continue to give England's selectors headaches in the months ahead.

The final word to close this first chapter of England's winter tours must go to the leader, Nasser Hussain.

I do not think I have ever seen a more 'hands-on' captain and although his constant tinkering of the field would, personally, have driven me mad, his generation of players are a more accepting bunch.

He is forever trying something different in an attempt to disrupt the batsman's flow and concentration and while it is possible to overdo it - as, I believe, was the case with Dawson at Ahmedabad - generally the tactic was a great success.

Once again, he and Fletcher managed to pull an England tour out of what appeared to be an unstoppable nosedive.

They return having lost the series, but progress has been made.