WAS that Third Test against India painful viewing or not? Easy answer, I almost didn't buy a Curry out of protest on Monday night.

Couldn't resist though, and despite being gutted to see Ganguly's side celebrate so, they had every right to.

England's final resistance was an absolute disgrace.

I hate slagging them off on the basis of one match and Nasser Hussain was completely right to say it's only one test match and England have played good cricket over the past two years.

They have and that's true. But there really was no excuse for that final session.

It was always going to be a tall order but Hussain's stand with Stewart was heartening.

A fine century for the skipper and a great catch to dismiss him after just 30 mins of play on the final day.

Then came a complete collapse of yesteryear.

Yes the draw was realistically never on with that dismissal and Flintoff going for a pair, but even if England had got stuck in, took the game beyond lunch and saved an innings defeat, it would have taken a little shine off India.

And the acquisition of another rubbish statistic - a record overseas victory for India.

Losing six wickets in a session was dire.

Before going overboard, England have played very well in this series and should have been 2-0 going into Headingley.

They were due a bad day but two proved too much as India declared on 628 for eight and England couldn't recover.

Injuries played a part, Trescothick, Thorpe, Gough and White all vital absences.

Flintoff's performance suggests he too should have been out with a groin op imminent.

No disrespect to India, though. They raised their game in every department and particularly their batsmen were also due to clink as unit after recent collective failures.

They did and now the Oval now looks a very tough prospect.

Nas saying all the pressure is on the tourists made me chuckle.

England have a huge task ahead to stop a home series defeat with what had looked the most exciting Ashes series in some years, this winter.