Stuart Carlisle, so far the batsman who looks the most comfortable in his side, was the victim of an unfortunate umpiring decision soon after lunch. Batting well on 28, made off just 35 balls, Carlisle (28, 36b, 5x4) was struck on the pads by a Zaheer Khan delivery. Even though the ball pitched much outside leg, umpire Venkataraghavan gave him out.

Play after that dismissal bordered on the inanimate. Trevor Gripper was stolidity personified, refusing to be drawn into any stroke and giving the impression that Zimbabwe had already decided to play for the draw - as indeed they may have.

Gripper was accompanied by a slightly more mobile Alistair Campbell, who did not waste much time in overtaking his companion. Spin dominated the bowling for the most part, but when neither Harbhajan Singh nor Anil Kumble could make another breakthrough, Sachin Tendulkar was brought on for a short spell. He may have scored 176, but he couldn't make the difference with the ball.

Just before tea, however, Kumble struck. Campbell, not getting to the pitch of the delivery, saw the ball strike the shoulder of his bat and VVS Laxman pouch the catch at first slip. With that wicket, tea was taken with Zimbabwe on 80/2. Campbell had made 30 off 73 balls, while Gripper was still there on 18 off 95.