Super Laxman guides India to victory
COLOMBO:
Venkatsai Laxman overcame back spasms to hit an unbeaten 103 as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final Test to draw the three-match series 1-1.
Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with 54 and Suresh Raina made 41 not out to help India surpass a challenging victory target of 257 just before tea on the fifth day at the P Sara Oval.
And a pleased Indian captain MS Dhoni said, “After the first Test a lot was said about our bowling attack and that our batsmen were not stepping up. We proved it here. It was a convincing win.”
Laxman and Tendulkar shared a match-winning partnership of 109 runs for the fifth wicket in what was probably the last Test innings for the two veterans on Sri Lankan soil.
Laxman was on 60 when he developed back spasms and called for a runner in Virender Sehwag after being treated by team physiotherapist Nitin Patel on the field.
The stylish Hyderabadi followed his 56 in the first innings with his 16th Test century that was studded with 12 boundaries.
Raina, playing only his second Test, hit four fours and a six during an unbroken stand of 87 for the sixth wicket with Laxman.
Laxman’s exquisite strokeplay inspired the Indians to ward off the threat of the Sri Lankan spinners exploiting the bounce and turn on a fifth-day wicket.
Off-spinner Suraj Randiv, brought in to replace world bowling record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan, who retired after the first Test, claimed all five Indian wickets to fall.
But Randiv had little support at the other end as sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis both went wicketless.
Tendulkar, the world’s leading run-getter, marked his record 169th Test appearance with a dour half-century during a three-hour vigil at the crease.
Sri Lanka should have got rid of Tendulkar when he was on 18, but Tillakratne Dilshan floored a simple catch at forward short-leg off Randiv.
Tendulkar fell in the fifth over after lunch, with 86 still needed, when he gloved a sweep off Randiv and was taken smartly down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
India and Sri Lanka will now be joined by New Zealand for a limited-overs tri-series that opens in Dambulla on August 10. AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2010.
Venkatsai Laxman overcame back spasms to hit an unbeaten 103 as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final Test to draw the three-match series 1-1.
Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with 54 and Suresh Raina made 41 not out to help India surpass a challenging victory target of 257 just before tea on the fifth day at the P Sara Oval.
And a pleased Indian captain MS Dhoni said, “After the first Test a lot was said about our bowling attack and that our batsmen were not stepping up. We proved it here. It was a convincing win.”
Laxman and Tendulkar shared a match-winning partnership of 109 runs for the fifth wicket in what was probably the last Test innings for the two veterans on Sri Lankan soil.
Laxman was on 60 when he developed back spasms and called for a runner in Virender Sehwag after being treated by team physiotherapist Nitin Patel on the field.
The stylish Hyderabadi followed his 56 in the first innings with his 16th Test century that was studded with 12 boundaries.
Raina, playing only his second Test, hit four fours and a six during an unbroken stand of 87 for the sixth wicket with Laxman.
Laxman’s exquisite strokeplay inspired the Indians to ward off the threat of the Sri Lankan spinners exploiting the bounce and turn on a fifth-day wicket.
Off-spinner Suraj Randiv, brought in to replace world bowling record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan, who retired after the first Test, claimed all five Indian wickets to fall.
But Randiv had little support at the other end as sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis both went wicketless.
Tendulkar, the world’s leading run-getter, marked his record 169th Test appearance with a dour half-century during a three-hour vigil at the crease.
Sri Lanka should have got rid of Tendulkar when he was on 18, but Tillakratne Dilshan floored a simple catch at forward short-leg off Randiv.
Tendulkar fell in the fifth over after lunch, with 86 still needed, when he gloved a sweep off Randiv and was taken smartly down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
India and Sri Lanka will now be joined by New Zealand for a limited-overs tri-series that opens in Dambulla on August 10. AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2010.