Laxman to continue to bat at number six

Despite the two outstanding innings in the first Test against England at Lord's, VVS Laxman will continue to bat at number six.

It put to rest speculation on Laxman being promoted higher up in the order after his knocks of 43 not out and 74 at Lord's when everyone except Rahul Dravid in the top batting order failed to make any significant contribution.

Laxman has been moved up and down in the batting order but looked to have secured his position at number three after the stupendous 281 against Australia at Kolkata last year.

Laxman, who displaced Dravid during the second innings of the Kolkata Test, continued to bat at number three on the tour to Zimbabwe last year but Dravid's better technique saw him winning back his position on the tour to South Africa last year.

The musical chairs for number three continued to be played though as captain Sourav Ganguly came at number three during the Delhi Test against Zimbabwe this year, a game in which Laxman was surprisingly dropped.

Laxman came roaring back to form recently in the West Indies where he scored 474 runs at an average of 79.00 from five Tests and was the top scorer for the team.

Laxman continued in same vein in the Lord's Test leading to an outcry he was being under-utilised in that position, being left to bat with tailenders and getting stranded.

Also, speculation was rife that Ganguly may swap positions with Laxman and come at number six, pushing the stylish Hyderabad batsman up in the order to five.

But team sources have said the positions would remain unchanged and Ganguly would come out to bat at number five with Laxman holding on to his position at number six.

(c) Copyright 2002 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.