Waugh: Fielding the difference

Australia celebrate Ponting's slip catching

Australia beat England by 8 wkts

Steve Waugh believes the excellence of the Australian fielding proved the difference between the two sides in the tourists' comfortable eight-wicket win in the second Test at Lord's

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England spurned a succession of chances as Australia built a decisive first-innings lead, most notably dropping Adam Gilchrist four times as he made 90.

In contrast Australia were as sharp as ever in the field.

Mark Waugh wrapped-up the England innings by claiming his 158th Test catch to set a new world record, while Ricky Ponting clung on to an excellent effort to dismiss Ian Ward on Sunday morning.

"I think the fielding was the difference between the two sides," said Waugh.

"It makes a huge difference to the outcome of the match."

Glenn McGrath was named man-of-the-match for his eight wickets and he too praised his side's close catchers.

Ponting catches Ian Ward

"They are great catchers," said McGrath.

"You don't mind getting edges as they seem to catch everyone of them."

Michael Atherton recognised the failings in the field that have cost England dear in both their defeats.

"In the two games we have had extremely small windows of opportunity and have not managed to take them.

"You can't afford to give players like that lives.

"We dropped three or four early chances yesterday and that could have produced a lead in the region of 100 and could have given us an opportunity to set Australia a smallish total.

"Australia played outstanding cricket and deserved to win."

Waugh paid credit to Jason Gillespie, who partnered McGrath in destorying England on Sunday morning.

"He deserved his success," said Waugh.

"It is just deserts for all his hard work over the last 12 months."