Melbourne, Dec 23: A prolific scorer against Australia, Indian middle-order batsman VVS Laxman hoped that the hosts would continue to have recurring nightmares of his presence at the crease during the forthcoming Test series starting here on December 26.
“I always dreamt of doing well in Australia. It has wonderful grounds. I wish to score those hundreds which help the team win...if it is a nightmare for Australia, I hope it continues,” Laxman said here today ahead of the first cricket Test, starting December 26.
Laxman has scored more runs against Australia than any other Indian except Sachin Tendulkar. On more than one occasion, he has played knocks which have turned a game on its head—the 281 he made at Kolkata in 2001 and the 148 he cracked at Adelaide in 2004 which won India matches from unseemly positions.
Two other knocks of his were not hundreds yet it won India matches against Australia, his 69 at Mumbai in 2004 and his 73 not out at Mohali last year. Laxman has 2279 runs from 25 matches at 55.59 average with six centuries to boot.
While former Australian captain Mark Taylor has termed Indian batsmen susceptible on pitches Down Under, Laxman terms them as the best tracks for batting—better than the one he plays in the sub-continent.
“I think Australian surfaces are best for batting. I relish them more than the sub-continent. Once you see off the new ball, you get true value for your shots. These wickets are ideal for strokeplayers.”
