Mumbai runs into 'Laxman Rekha'

By Nandakumar Marar

Mumbai, OCT. 14. V.V.S. Laxman has become a sort of `mental block' for bowlers in domestic cricket. The Rest of India skipper gave yet another demonstration of his prowess at occupying the batting crease on the second day of the five-day Irani Trophy match against Ranji champions Mumbai.

He has so far batted for 371 minutes, including the whole of Saturday, scoring 165 runs (280 balls, 24 boundaries) and looks hungry for more runs when a weary Mumbai resumes battle.

The Hyderabad batsman's feat of endurance and classy strokeplay on another sweltering day at the Wankhede Stadium, enabled Rest of India XI score 299 for four wickets, ahead of Mumbai's first innings score of 260, and in a position of strength with three days to go.

Laxman's 50 runs came off 94 balls, 100 (180 balls), 150 (258 balls). Jacob Martin (25 not out, 63 balls, two fours) is the other batsman at the crease, looking in good nick to send the Mumbai bowlers on another leather hunt.

The Rest skipper, overnight on two runs, started off on a cautious, yet confident note against the Mumbai medium-pace attack of Paras Mhambrey and Santosh Saxena before getting down to the business of dominating the bowling. He was watchful, yet ruthless in his approach and except for a dropped catch off Mhambrey when on 73 in the post-lunch session (Nilesh Kulkarni spilling the chance at slip), the Mumbai attack seemed to have run into a virtual wall at the crease.

The highlight of the Rest innings was a 201-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Laxman and Mohd. Kaif (75 runs, 193 balls, 10 fours). These two performers, who approach batting in the manner of craftsmen, came together in the fifth over of the day (nightwatchman Murali Kartik edging Mhambrey into wicket- keeper Dighe's safe gloves) revelled in each other's company till the 74th over, by which time the back of Mumbai's attack had been broken. Both have a reputation for being 'stayers', who like to wear down the rival bowlers before tearing into the attack.

Laxman and Kaif saw off the Mumbai medium-pacers, rotated strike when Dighe brought in the spinners Nilesh Kulkarni, Ramesh Powar and Rajesh Pawar, using the opportunity to have a close look at the bowling and get a feel of conditions out in the middle before taking charge. The Hyderabadi, playing late as is his wont, picked gaps in the field effortlessly when driving fluently on either side of the wicket and pulled anything bowled short at him with ease, bordering on contempt.

His partner in the run-making business, Kaif, displayed excellent defensive technique when getting his eye in before joining Laxman in the run feast. This compact batsman, who used his feet to tackle the three-pronged spin attack, went on to hit 10 sweetly- struck boundaries during a delightful 193-ball stay at the wicket before getting castled by Rajesh Pawar.

Jacob Martin joined his skipper at the crease and is batting confidently enough, despite the expected pressure tactics from Mumbai, to negate apprehensions of any devil in the wicket, which claimed 12 victims on day one and only two on day two.

Mumbai skipper Dighe had his spinners send down 65 overs of the 90 bowled on the day, perhaps inspired by four- wicket hauls from Rest spinners Kartik and Sharandeep on the first day, but with Laxman in such a focussed mood to display his staying powers and stroke-making ability, he will have to revise the attacking plans.

The new ball was taken in the 91st over of the Rest innings, but nothing dramatic happened unlike yesterday when both openers S. Ramesh and S.S. Das departed in quick succession.

The scores:

Mumbai - 1st innings: 260

Rest of India XI - 1st innings: S. Ramesh c Dighe b Saxena 4, S.S. Das c Jaffer b Mhambrey 0, M. Kartik c Dighe b Mhambrey 22, Mohd. Kaif b Pawar 75, V.V.S. Laxman 165 (batting), J. Martin 25 (batting). Extras 8 (b-2, lb- 1, nb-5). Total 299 for four in 96 overs.

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-8, 3-29, 4-230.

Mumbai bowling: P. Mhambrey 16-2-54-2, S. Saxena 13-1-49-1, N. Kulkarni 30-6-86-0, R. Pawar 20-1-67-1, R. Powar 15-2-37-0, N. Shetty 2-1-3-0.

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