Cricket: The Ashes: Unlucky Kasper is haunted by defeat.

Byline: By MARTIN ROGERS

AUSSIE fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz admitted his dismissal just three runs from victory would remain with him for the rest of his life.

"I will leave Edgbaston with the most vivid memory that I will replay in my mind for the rest of my life.

"There's maybe a sense of pride but initially there's disappointment. In a lot of ways it's cruel to get that close and just miss out in the end.''

His partner as Australia edged close to an incredible victory was Brett Lee, who had earlier been struck on the hand following a barrage of short-pitched deliveries. "I'm hurting more here,'' he said, pointing to his heart.

And Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting revealed his heartbreak for his tail-enders.

He said: "I was disappointed for those guys because they fought and battled so hard to get us close.

"It was a great effort to get as near as we did from the situation we had found ourselves in at the start of the day.

"If a couple of things had gone differently we could have got over the line and managed an unbelievable victory.

"But I don't feel shattered about the defeat or even the way we lost it.

"It is easier to bounce back from a close defeat like this than it would if we had been absolutely hammered.

"It just makes you even more determined for next time, to make sure every ball you bowl, field or face, you get the most out of it."

With Glenn McGrath unlikely to be fit, fast bowler Shane Harwood has been asked to join the Aussie squad preparing for the third Test at Old Trafford.