Laxman misses century, but India cruise

HOVE, July 8: VVS Laxman fell five short of a hundred as India put up a dominating batting display before declaring their first innings at 388 for 7 on the second day of their four-day warm-up game against Sussex on Sunday.
Probably in his last tour of the Old Blighty, Laxman seemed set for a classy century until he was deceived by the wily former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and was dismissed for 95.
Saqlain foxed the stylish Hyderabadi bastman with a 'doosra' that took the shoulder of the latter's bat to first slip, ending an entertaining 178-ball knock that contained 12 hits to the fence.
India declared the inning an hour after lunch after losing Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Dhoni, Anil Kumble and Laxman in quick succession, 4 wickets falling for 31 runs in 11.5 overs.
Saqlain ended up with 3-71 in 29.5 overs while Ollie Rayner claimed 2-34.
At the break, the hosts were 32 for one, Richard Montgomerie the batsman to fall for 18. Chris Nash on six and Michael Yardy on one were at the crease.
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, who was 57 not out overnight, did not come out to bat this morning.
Resuming at 281 for 3, the Indians continued to feast on Sussex bowling on a wicket that had nothing much to offer.
With Yuvraj Singh too looking determined to make the most of another bright, sunny day, batting rather cautiously, India continued to add useful runs to their kitty.
Laxman, who started the day on 37 not out, duly reached his half-century and shared another fruitful stand with Yuvraj who was given a testing time by off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.
However, Yuvraj was rewarded for all his pluck as he soon opened up to steer Robert Martin-Jenkins to the fence and follow it up with another glorious off-drive off Saqlain.
Laxman kept the few hundred Indians fans entertained with playing some magnificent shots on either sides of the wicket.
Yuvraj finally lost his battle with the Sussex spinners when he fell to off spinner Ollie Rayner in the first over after lunch as he jumped out to drive, missed, and was easily stumped.
Two overs later, Rayner claimed his second victim when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was beaten by the turn and trapped in front of the wicket for five.
With Laxman moving into the 90's with a delightful pull off Rayner, India lost Anil Kumble to Saqlain Mushtaq who also added the Hyderabad batsman to his list of victims.
Needing just five runs for his hundred, Laxman was done in by a 'doosra' from Saqlain that took the shoulder of his bat and traveled to slip.