Aussie pitches hold no demons for Laxman

Updated December 24, 2011 09:26:59

Star Indian batsman VVS Laxman has dismissed a suggestion that he might struggle in the upcoming Test series, saying he prefers Australian conditions.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has said the imposing Indian batting line-up could be exposed on livelier pitches in the four-match series.

Taylor said the young, inexperienced Australian pace attack could prove a nasty surprise because the tourists are used to batting on slow and low Indian wickets.

But Laxman can point to his formidable record of 1,081 runs at 54.05 over 11 Tests in Australia.

"For me, the Australian surfaces are best for batting," Laxman said.

"I always relish batting in such conditions, rather than the subcontinent.

"Once you see the new ball, there's true bounce in the wicket and you can play a lot of shots - you get value for your shots.

"I definitely feel the wickets in Australia are ideal for stroke players."

The glaring exception to Laxman's outstanding record in Australia has been the MCG, where he has only scored 111 runs in three Tests at 18.50.

"I'm quite happy with the way I've played at (the MCG), even though the scores don't reflect that ... I was quite comfortable," he said.

Laxman is also confident pacemen Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma will be ready for Boxing Day.

Zaheer has come back from ankle surgery and Sharma had strapping on his left ankle during Friday's net session.

"He (Zaheer) is lean and fit and he's really worked on his fitness," Laxman said.

"Ishant ... the way he bowled in the second innings of the Chairman's XI (game) in Canberra and the way he bowled today in the nets, was proof they're both fit and raring to go."

Laxman said India's openers - bowlers and batsmen - would play crucial roles on this tour.

"I always believe, especially on an overseas tour, the key (is) to play or use the new ball, either batting or bowling," he said.

"Whenever an Indian team has done well, we've always had our openers firing.

"A lot of people talk about the middle-order contribution in the 2003-04 series in Australia, but it was because Aakash (Chopra) and Viru (Virender Sehwag) gave us the starts.

"We are very lucky as a team to have two outstanding openers (Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir)."

Laxman also backed the decision by his country's officials not to allow the decision review system in their Test matches, saying Indian players had mixed experiences with the technology.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, india, australia

First posted December 24, 2011 09:15:12

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Windies falter as Laxman, Dhoni run riot

Updated November 17, 2011 12:34:58

VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni led India's run-spree with superb centuries to put their team in command on the second day of the second Test against a hapless West Indies on Tuesday.

Middle-order batsman Laxman hit a stylish 176 not out and skipper Dhoni a robust 144 as India posted a massive 7 (declared) for 631 in its first innings at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

West Indies faltered in reply, reaching 2 for 34 when play was called off due to bad light.

Kirk Edwards was unbeaten on 12 and Darren Bravo on 4 not out.

Indian seamer Umesh Yadav struck in his first over when he had Adrian Barath (1) caught by Virender Sehwag at second slip before off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed Kraigg Brathwaite (17), caught by Gautam Gambhir at short-leg.

Laxman hit 12 fours in his 17th Test hundred, and the fifth at this venue, while Dhoni smashed five sixes and 10 fours in his fifth Test century as India continued to gather runs comfortably against both pace and spin.

"It is always a special feeling playing at this venue. Eden Gardens is a great place to play cricket, especially with all the spectators here, even though there are not many this time," Laxman, 37, said.

"You get value for your shots. I think this was an important knock from me because it came soon after the tour of England (where India lost 4-0 in Tests).

"The pitch has remained more or less the same, but slightly slower over the past few years. It is a good Test wicket like it should be in India. It may be difficult to play spin on the last day of the match."

Laxman and Dhoni exposed the West Indies' bowling limitations on a slow pitch with a 224-run stand for the seventh wicket as the hosts added 285 runs to their overnight total of 5 for 346.

It was India's second-highest total in Tests against the West Indies, its best being 7 (declared) for 644 at Kanpur in 1979.

It was a demoralising day for West Indies, which could get just two wickets in more than two sessions as none of its bowlers could trouble Laxman and Dhoni.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, paceman Kemar Roach, seamer Darren Sammy and part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels all conceded more than 100 runs in a mediocre West Indies bowling performance.

"You have just got to bat the way India batted. It's a very good batting wicket," West Indies team manager Richie Richardson said.

"It's not going to be easy. The Indian bowlers are going to put pressure on us, but I believe we have the ammunition to go out there and bat for the next two days."

Dhoni dominated the big stand with Laxman with rich strokeplay. He reached his century - his first since February 2010 - in the afternoon with a single to long-off off part-time spinner Brathwaite.

The Indian skipper, caught behind off Roach no-balls when on 13 and 16, punished the spinners as he lofted Bishoo and Samuels over long-on for sixes before hitting Brathwaite for two sixes in an over.

Dhoni was caught behind in the last session immediately after hitting Roach for his fifth six.

Laxman, 73 overnight, completed his hundred with an attractive shot, flicking Sammy between mid-on and mid-wicket for a four.

The West Indies relied on fast bowlers Fidel Edwards and Roach in the morning in a bid to put pressure on India, but the duo went wicketless with the second new ball.

The tourists' lone success in the morning session came when Sammy trapped Yuvraj Singh leg-before for 25 after the batsman had added 50 for the sixth wicket with Laxman.

Yuvraj, trying to cement his place in the Test side, did not look comfortable during his brief stay at the crease, tested by Edwards and Roach with short-pitched deliveries.

The left-handed batsman was once struck on the shoulder by an Edwards bouncer before being dismissed by Sammy.

India leads 1-0 in the three-Test series following their five-wicket victory in the opening match in New Delhi.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, india

First posted November 15, 2011 23:27:46

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