ADELAIDE, Australia, 10 December 2003 — Sachin Tendulkar’s ranking may have slipped but he will show why he is recognized as the world’s best batsman in the remaining three Tests, Indian teammate VVS Laxman said here yesterday.
Tendulkar made a duck in his only innings in the first Test in Brisbane, out to a controversial leg before wicket decision, given by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor.
Australia’s Matthew Hayden, who became the first player to pass 1,000 Test runs in the last three calendar years with his 99 in the second innings, leads the world Test batting rankings.Tendulkar is ranked only ninth, with Australian Test captain-in-waiting Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist among those in front of him, along with India’s Rahul Dravid. But Laxman said that was not a just reflection of Tendulkar’s sustained batting greatness.
“He has done well for so many years, so I think it’s time everyone realized he’s the best batsman in the world,” Laxman said.
“I’m sure that he’ll come up with some big runs in the rest of the series.”
Laxman, who scored a delightful 75 in India’s first innings, also said his side was pleased with the way it fought back in Brisbane after a Justin Langer century in difficult conditions on the opening day put Australia in charge. He said India had plenty of potential to improve in the second Test, which starts on Friday at the Adelaide Oval.
“This side is really keen on improving day by day and wants to become one of the best sides ever in Test cricket, so we’re all looking to improve on our skills,” he said.
“There is always room for improvement and we’ll definitely discuss that before the Test match starts and we plan to improve on the shortcomings.”
Rogers Slams Explosive Century as Western Australia Chase Shield Win
In Perth, Australia, talented left-hander Chris Rogers slammed 108 runs in the final session to finish with a superb 116 not out as Western Australia maneuvered themselves into a potentially winning position in the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania here yesterday.
Rogers, a 26-year-old opener, thrashed the islanders’ attack in the 135 minutes to stumps as Western Australia piled on an amazing 211 runs in the session.
They finished with 231 for one wicket in their second innings, leading overall by 288 runs with one day remaining and a declaration appearing certain in the opening session today.
Rogers was well supported by former Zimbabwe Test right-hander Murray Goodwin (50 not out) in an unbroken 137-run second-wicket stand and skipper Mike Hussey (61) in an opening partnership of 94.
The Western Australian batsmen ran riot after Tasmania had frustrated the home bowlers deep into the day, with the last four wickets adding 164 runs to complete a challenging total of 380 — only 57 behind Western Australia’s first innings 437.
Sean Clingeleffer clouted 79, Damien Wright 65 and Andrew Downton 45, with speedster Brad Williams (4-115) snatching the bowling honors.
Sri Lanka Bolster Batting Against England
In Kandy, Sri Lanka have dropped a spinner to beef up their batting for the second Test against England starting today. The selectors met the team management yesterday before recalling middle-order batsman Tillekaratne Dilshan in place of off spinner Kumara Dharmasena, one of three specialist Sri Lanka spinners in the first Test.
Dilshan, 27, who played the last of his 10 Tests against West Indies in June, will bat at six with Thilan Samaraweera at seven.
The selectors considered recalling fast bowler Dilhara Fernando after he recovered from a stress fracture but remained loyal to Dinusha Fernando. He took one wicket in the opening encounter of the three-Test series.
