Laxman has no plans to retire, say teammates

He might be drawing flak for his poor run in the ongoing Test series against Australia, but veteran Indian batsman VVS Laxman has no plans of hanging up his boots just yet.

Laxman carried this impression of defiance to the nets today at WACA as he strode out purposefully in the middle and had an extended batting session in sweltering heat.

And later, at the press conference, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir also jumped to Laxman’s defence, saying, “My question is why one person? The top seven batters are equally to blame.

We have failed as a unit, why then Laxman alone?

“He is a legend of Indian cricket. He has served Indian cricket for a very, very long time. There shouldn’t be anyone who would be deciding. It should be him and him alone who should do so.

“If criticism has to happen, it should happen not to one person but to the entire batting unit who have let the team down. Neither media, fans nor former cricketers would decide if he is to retire. He is still working very hard, it’s matter of just one innings and his confidence would be back.”

Laxman has made a mere 102 runs from six innings at an average of 17. He was equally abysmal in India’s previous tour of England last summer when he made 182 runs from eight innings at an average of 22.75. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, now sidelined due to a ban for slow over—rate, has been non—committal too when asked about Laxman’s so—called imminent retirement plans.>>>

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We have let the nation down: Gambhir

Struggling Indian opener Gautam Gambhir conceded that his team has let the entire nation down in the ongoing Test series against Australia and has failed to live up to the expectations.

India trail the four—match series 0—3 and are in danger of a second successive Test whitewash abroad after the England debacle last year.

“We have let the entire nation down and I will be the first one to accept it. There is a backlash which is happening back home and we are ready to accept it. We have given the opportunity to people (to criticise us). We haven’t played good cricket and not lived up to the expectations, given the batting we have,” said Gambhir after nets here on Tuesday.

“We have let the common man down who expects us to perform, and I accept it. We need to turn it around as quickly as possible,” he added.

The left—handed opener has scored only 144 runs from six innings at an average of 24.00, and is only one of the batsmen of the Indian batting unit which has collectively failed on the present tour.

“I am not someone who would be hesitant to take the responsibility. I will be the first one to accept it. If you want to be number one, you have to perform well and start winning overseas, whether it is England, South Africa or Australia,” said Gambhir.>>>

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Superb Ajmal sparks England collapse

Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal was in mesmerizing form on Tuesday, taking career—best figures of 7—55 as England was bowled out for 192 before his team’s openers reached 42—0 at stumps on the first day of the first test.

Ajmal won five lbw decisions after England won the toss and elected to bat first at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with Matt Prior’s gritty knock of 70 to rescue his top—ranked team from a precarious 94—7 the sole innings of substance.

Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez (22) and Taufeeq Umar (18) saw off 15 overs in the last hour of the day without too many problems in facing England’s three seamers or lone spinner Graeme Swann.

England’s supporters dominated the crowd of about 1,500 people that watched a long list of batsman fail miserably to counter Ajmal’s variety of deliveries.

Captain Andrew Strauss (19), Ian Bell (0) and Kevin Pietersen (2) departed within five of Ajmal’s deliveries before lunch as England limped to 52—5.>>>

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Ashes victory is the ultimate goal, says Australian coach Arthur

Australia coach Mickey Arthur considers the ongoing four—match Test series against India as a stepping stone for regaining the Ashes next year, which he says remains the team’s ultimate goal.

“Winning back the Ashes is at the forefront of everybody’s mind. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that we were trying to build a really competitive team to go back and win them in 2013,” the Australian coach said.

“Judging by reports that I’ve read they have started to take a little bit of notice,” he added.

Australia has had a stunning revival after their 1—3 Ashes defeat last year, and Arthur was confident his team won’t be any pushover when they tour England in 18 months time.

Australia drew in South Africa last November and have already reclaimed the Border—Gavaskar trophy even before next week’s fourth Test in Adelaide and Arthur said world number one England is firmly on their radar.

“It is the ultimate goal,” he said. >>>

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Laxman must be allowed to be himself

By the time V.V.S. Laxman walked to the ‘nets' at the WACA, bat-bag slung across shoulder, helmet in hand, the Indians were hard at work in their sections.

Rahul Dravid had arrived early with Trevor Penney, the fielding coach, and had discussed his batting grip, his back-lift, and the English system of batting.

Dravid had done what he had on Tuesday — getting Penney to act as if he were whipping the ball at him, so he could freeze his stroke in reaction and monitor the position of his bat and body as he lined up.

He had interrupted his session — been persuaded to interrupt it, to be accurate — to address the press; the first round of ‘nets' had begun.

In this time, Laxman completed some slips-catching, stretched himself on a giant, purple medicine ball, and began his walk from the ground — with its still green pitch — to the practice area.

If he was feeling the familiar pressure of his place in the side being questioned from outside, it didn't show in the tranquil Laxman walk, a smile at the ready.

“I don't think it has affected Laxman too much,” said Dravid, when asked if he sensed Laxman was under pressure. “To be honest, I have been with him the last two days — I haven't read some of these comments — and I don't think Lax is bothered either.>>>

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A tete-a-tete with birthday boy Rahul Dravid

A press conference isn't what a cricketer would wish for on a birthday, let alone his 39th, but Rahul Dravid handled it with customary good humour.

He denied allegations of the team being divided (“When you are down 2-0, all these things happen; there is absolutely no truth to any of it”), joked about his age (“Any number scares you after 30. Actually, 40. I'll be scared of that number”), and accepted several birthday wishes.

Excerpts from an interaction

On handling criticism: One of the good things about touring is that you are in a bit of a cocoon. You can never gauge the feelings of what's happening back home. The spirit has been good. The enthusiasm to practice… just the overall energy around the squad has been really good. Obviously, it's a disappointment with the results we have had so far. But, overall, in terms of the spirit, it's been pretty good.>>>

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Our pace attack is confident: Clarke

Australia captain Michael Clarke on Thursday exuded confidence in his pace battery and said whether there is a four—prong pace attack or not, they are good enough to take the wickets in the third cricket Test against India starting here tomorrow.

Australia would seek a replacement of James Pattinson in either Ryan Harris or Mitchell Starc, and Clarke believed both of them would be good enough to do the job.

“He (Harris) is as good a fast bowler as I have seen throughout my career. He has had a lot of success. Our attack is very confident. Be it three or four fast bowlers, they can all do really well,” he said.

“It’s a kind of wicket where the new ball would play a very important part in this Test. Day One would really suit fast bowling.”

Clarke gave a hint that he might think of opting to bowl first if the wicket retained that kind of grass and hardness as it was a couple of days ago.

“I would think about it. I find it hard to bowl first and be without any spinner in my team. No matter what the conditions are like. But you also want to find the best way to win a game. I need to make two very smart decisions tomorrow morning,” he said.

Fresh from his triple century in Sydney, Clarke said he would like to carry his good form into the match tomorrow.>>>

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