Sri Lanka completed a series whitewash over Zimbabwe with a 19-run victory in the fifth and final ODI at Harare Sports Club, but, not for the first time in the last week, Zimbabwe threw away a gilt-edged chance of winning within sight of the finishing line.

Michael Clarke is the youngest member of Australia’s batting line-up but maturity is not an issue for the man most likely to be the team’s next captain. Clarke’s 110 in Adelaide was his fourth Test century this year and his calm and measured manner was a contrast to the aggressive approach taken by Brad Haddin in his superb 169.

A day to forget for Symonds …

England’s cricketers will not be forced to return to India for the two-Test series, Hugh Morris, the ECB’s managing director for England cricket, said as the squad arrived back in London on Saturday evening.

Michael Hussey is probably the world’s most organised cricketer and in an Australia team so unsettled that they haven’t picked the same XI in consecutive Tests for 11 matches, his reliability is invaluable. Hussey has become so good at stabilising potentially worrying situations that he could get a job straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa.