Sport - Cricket

Laxman happy with his performance

Special Correspondent

Basseterre: While there were many bit players on the fourth day of the third Test, the two major roles belonged to Jerome Taylor and V.V.S. Laxman. Taylor took three crucial wickets in six balls to open the door for a West Indies win that looked unlikely before start of play. Laxman did his best to slam that door shut with his 10th Test century.

Timely partnerships

``The situation demanded a good partnership at that stage, and I'm happy I was able to do it first with Dhoni and then with Anil (Kumble),'' said Laxman. ``It was good to get a 100 when the team needed it. I batted well at Antigua but couldn't convert the start. So it was good to convert a start.''

Laxman said the team management had given him ``full confidence'' and ``the responsibility a senior player requires.'' Was it the reason he batted at three? ``On this tour, Rahul wanted to bat at four being the most experienced batsman with Sachin not here,'' said the 31-year-old. ``Rahul told me before the series that I'll bat at three.''

Giving his best shot

When asked how it felt to compete for his spot, the man with over 4500 Test runs said, ``I just try to give my best when I play for my country. When you are playing Test cricket, there's always competition. It's good that there is competition. But, when you go out to the middle, you don't think about it. You just adapt to the situation and play.''

Ever gracious, Laxman had kind words for his partner in the 77-run alliance for the seventh wicket. ``Anil is a gutsy performer with bat and ball. We had an important partnership in Port Elizabeth against South Africa saving the follow-on. In the last one and a half years, his batting has changed. He has become more aggressive.''

Laxman said batting wasn't easy with the ball not coming off the track, except if the cherry was new.

Not an enjoyable feeling

The track received a thumbs down from Taylor too. ``Absolutely not,'' said the 22-year-old quick when he asked if he enjoyed bowling on the track. ``The pitch is not conducive to fast bowling. You have to work twice as hard.''

Taylor said the improvement in his performance came about as a result of a ``different thought process'' and ``improved fitness levels.''

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