Or is it that the Indians have some kind of secret formula against the leggie that the rest of the cricketing world is not privy to?

Or, finally, is it simply that Warne is, as Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga claimed before the 1996 World Cup, "very much over-rated"?

What follows is an attempt -- through statistics, graphics and analysis -- to answer that question.

What needs mentioning upfront is that Warne has, through this series, bowled as well as he ever has. To put his lack of wickets down to a combination of substandard beans, too much cricket, and such -- as the Australian media appears inclined to do -- is not fair to a great bowler.

As to battle fatigue -- well, that sounds extremely reminiscent of the argument that had been made on the Indian team's behalf through the 1996-1997 season. And as was said about India then, the same needs saying about Australia -- and Shane Warne -- now: namely, that frenetic schedules are part of the modern cricketer's life, and cannot be put forward as an excuse.

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