SHAUN UDAL is hoping that his success this week in helping England to beat India in the Test match in Mumbai will extend his international career.

The 37 year old Hampshire off spinner and Chronicle columnist claimed 4 for 14 as England dismissed the home side for just 100 in their second innings to tie the three- match series.

"It was a wonderful day for England and I'm just glad I was able to play a full part," he told me.

"I took a lot of criticism when we toured Pakistan before Christmas, but I hope I've now proved I can do it at the top level when conditions are a bit more favourable."

Udal and skipper Andrew Flintoff were largely responsible for India's collapse in losing their last seven wickets for only 25 runs after lunch on the final day.

The Hampshire man first captured the prize wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, caught at short leg off bat and pad, before collecting three more victims to catches in the deep as struggling India hit out in vain.

"Getting Tendulkar like that was really special as he's such a great player," said Udal. "And then the guys took some good catches for me as the tailenders decided to hit out. When Hoggy took the final catch and we'd won I was so elated. "It was all timed perfectly for my children at home to see just before they had to go off to school."

Shaun admitted that he was 'down in the dumps' after India's first innings in which he received some rough treatment in his first spell.

"It was my first real bowl of the tour and I felt I had let everyone down. But the boys all encouraged me and told me I could play a vital role in the second innings. "I'm so pleased that they were right. It was a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday a few days late, especially as my brother and some friends had come out to see the game. "It was a great team effort to gain England's first win in a Test in India for more than 20 years."

Udal and several of the other players have flown home now as they're not included in the England squad for the seven One Day Internationals starting next Tuesday. He'll be taking a break with his wife and family before getting back to pre-season training with Hampshire.

Does he expect his belated Test career to be extended this summer against Sri Lanka and Pakistan? "That's for the selectors to decide. I know that I'll be fit and raring to go if I get the call, but I've been around long enough not to worry about it.

"If Mumbai turns out to be my fourth and final Test then it's not a bad way to finish is it?"