A Tribute to a Very, Very Special Cricketer By: Garfield Robinson

I was looking forward to the southern summer of 2011-12 like no other. Why? India was touring Australia and I yearned to see VVS Laxman once again dominate cricket’s most formidable side in their home conditions. He had done it a few times before - there was his first test hundred, 167 in Sydney on the 1999-2000, 148 and 178 on the 2003-04 tour, and 109 at Sydney in 2007-08. These were innings of the highest class and the Australians, comprised of tough warriors, came to respect the even-keeled Hyderabadi. This was almost certain to be the last time Laxman would set foot in Australia as a combatant, and I was relishing the thought of him making one last dash at them.

It turns out, however, that he did precious little this time round. There were no memorable hundreds. He scripted none of the impossible lost-cause resurrections for which he had become known. I was disappointed.

More disappointed, in fact, than I ever remember being in the many years that I took studious interest in cricket. Not in Laxman; he had provided more entertainment than I could ever pay for over the years. I was disappointed in myself for believing that it was a given that he would again do to Australia what he had done to them a number of times before; disappointed in myself for thinking there could be any certainty in sport.
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a joy to watch when in full flow

whose technique is perfect zac