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[prfsr]

http://www.cricketnext.com/indwi06/ptinewsmay06/ptinews190.htm

Lloyd bats for VVS Laxman

By Ashish Shukla



Port of Spain (Trinidad), May 27, 2006(PTI)


Former West Indian captain Clive Lloyd says the Indian side in the present one-day series has suffered because someone of VVS Laxman's calibre has been missing.

"I just feel that somebody like Laxman should be playing all kind of cricket. He is that kind of cricketer. He is not in one-dayers and I presume his absence could have caused their batting to be a little weaker," said Lloyd after West Indies secured an unbeatable 3-1 lead over India at Queen's Park Oval on Friday.

India clearly felt the absence of experience in their lower half and time and again and failed to make full advantage of the final 10-15 overs. Lloyd opined that Laxman's absence, along with that of Sachin Tendulkar, has not helped this Indian side.

"There is no Tendulkar either. Their absence would have made a difference to any side. It would have been nice to have him (Tendulkar) here, people would have loved to see him".

Lloyd, now a Match-Referee with the ICC, however, did not think the team was missing Sourav Ganguly from the ranks.

"Laxman is younger than Ganguly and he is a guy I would prefer in this Indian side."

Lloyd, leader of the West Indies team of the 80s which earned them the tag of invincibles, said it was good for West Indies cricket to see that the visiting Indians could not win for a change in their favourite hunting ground of the Caribbean -- the Queen's Park Oval. "I'am glad it's not a lucky ground for them today." The Indians looked tired on the field on Friday but Lloyd did not think that it was because of too much of cricket.

"Well, I guess they have drawn a six-year plan and you need to keep a bigger pool of players. But I don't think there is too much of cricket".

"It's an important victory for us. We beat a team which is way above us in the rankings. This team has beaten Pakistan and England recently. We hould be really proud of what we have achieved," he said.

Lloyd sympathised with the Indians but felt they could look forward to the forthcoming Test series with hope.

"It's obvious that people feel disappointed if they don't win the series. Still, the Test matches are to come yet".

As for the West Indians, Lloyd said it was important to keep the good work going.

"We have to take it series by series. This team is playing well, gelling well so they are pretty good 15 coming together. They would be handful when the World Cup comes around.

"We have looked good, let's put it this way. I am sure a lot of guys feel they can beat any side and give this side the impetus which is needed", Lloyd added.

© PTI

[prfsr]

I believe the decision to keep VVSL out of ODIs was taken by GC before or at the same time as the SG fiasco -- in fact, now that I recall more details it was taken during the SL tour when SG was captain for part of the tour, in other words before the SG fiasco.

Sad, really. And certainly not because VVS was ever a fantastic OD player - he wasn't. Maybe the situation will change, and perhaps he really will get his place in the WC squad. I would be happy to see him there, at least my heart will.

-P

[fineleg]

I believe the decision to keep VVSL out of ODIs was taken by GC before or at the same time as the SG fiasco -- in fact, now that I recall more details it was taken during the SL tour when SG was captain for part of the tour, in other words before the SG fiasco.

Sad, really. And certainly not because VVS was ever a fantastic OD player - he wasn't. Maybe the situation will change, and perhaps he really will get his place in the WC squad. I would be happy to see him there, at least my heart will.

-P

Was VVS not in and out of the ODI squad even during SG/JW timeframe? is it only after GC?
can u re-verify? thanks for that.

[justforkix]

Was VVS not in and out of the ODI squad even during SG/JW timeframe? is it only after GC?
can u re-verify? thanks for that.

Actually VVS played in almost every ODI series after WC03 till end of JW reign. VVS played in the Ind-NZ-Aus triseries, VB series, Pak ODIs, Asia Cup, Natwest Challenge in Eng, ICC KO. The only series he missed was the TVS cup in Bang immediately following WC03, Bnag ODIs and Pak ODI series.

[fineleg]

Was VVS not in and out of the ODI squad even during SG/JW timeframe? is it only after GC?
can u re-verify? thanks for that.

Actually VVS played in almost every ODI series after WC03 till end of JW reign. VVS played in the Ind-NZ-Aus triseries, VB series, Pak ODIs, Asia Cup, Natwest Challenge in Eng, ICC KO. The only series he missed was the TVS cup in Bang immediately following WC03, Bnag ODIs and Pak ODI series.

So, he was indeed "eased out" by the SG/JW team itself? was it? I am just trying to get facts straight since I have forgotten some of it.

"TVS cup in Bang immediately following WC03, Bnag ODIs and Pak ODI series. "

[prfsr]

Was VVS not in and out of the ODI squad even during SG/JW timeframe? is it only after GC?
can u re-verify? thanks for that.

Actually VVS played in almost every ODI series after WC03 till end of JW reign. VVS played in the Ind-NZ-Aus triseries, VB series, Pak ODIs, Asia Cup, Natwest Challenge in Eng, ICC KO. The only series he missed was the TVS cup in Bang immediately following WC03, Bnag ODIs and Pak ODI series.

So, he was indeed "eased out" by the SG/JW team itself? was it? I am just trying to get facts straight since I have forgotten some of it.

"TVS cup in Bang immediately following WC03, Bnag ODIs and Pak ODI series. "

I am not sure if he was temporarily dropped or eased out. I do not remember - so if SG dropped him, does not make it any better.

I confess I am biased -- anyone who plays like that against Aussies deserves a L-O-N-G rope. To me that Kolkata test is worth 100 Nat West cups.

Plus I have no problem with him being dropped if there are better players. But dropped for Mr Y Rao -- that's plain wrong

-P

[justforkix]

So, he was indeed "eased out" by the SG/JW team itself? was it? I am just trying to get facts straight since I have forgotten some of it.

"TVS cup in Bang immediately following WC03, Bnag ODIs and Pak ODI series. "

well. as per reports VVS and AK were "rested" for the Bang ODIs . In the Pak ODIs, we decided to play a regular WK, MSD and surprisingly Dinesh Mongia was chosen as reserve batsman and then Sriram for the final 2 ODIs, when SG was banned.

So, I don't know if we can conclude that VVS was being eased out just based on 1 series (discounting the 3 ODI Bang series).

Also, I think VVS was always in the mix, i.e., at least in the squad of 15 since 2001, JW's reign. He may have missed a series or 2 here and there, but he was in the mix and plans. And SG had openly said that he had clearly asked for VVS in WC03 squad, but didn't get it. FYI, selection took place with SG and JW teleconferencing from NZ. Also, VVS was in the ODI squad in NZ and the WC03 team was announced in the middle of that ODI series (as usual the BCCI whims and fancies).

[kban1]

I think the 3 ODI bang series was viewed as the start of some experimentation --situation and opponent allowing  -- vis-a-vis selection of the WC squad. Take a look at the new faces we tried out and it makes sense --given the opponent was Bang.

on the other side, VVS definitely did not want to sit out the Bang ODI's --he said so himself.

Hard to say on the basis of 1 series (pak) whether he was being eased out or not --agree with jfk