Laxman happy with county stint

VVS Laxman, the Indian Test batsman, has returned from a successful county stint raring to go for the home series against Sri Lanka starting November. Laxman has said that he was pleased with his county form after not being scheduled to play competitive cricket from May to October.

Laxman struck a super run of form during the English summer where he topped Lancashire's first-class run tally with 857 runs in 11 matches at an average of 65.92, including four centuries. "At this point of my career, there is nothing like proving a point or two. My county performances show that I can play in any format and under any conditions," he said on return to India. "All that I can say is that given the chance, I will be ready to perform for my country as I did for Lancashire."

Laxman also did well in the other two formats for Lancashire. In three Twenty20 Cup matches he was the top run-getter with 159 at 79.50. In four innings during the Pro40, he made 80 runs at 26.66. In the one Friends Provident Trophy game he played, Laxman made 54. Asked as to whether he was up for a return to one-day internationals, like Rahul Dravid, Laxman said: "It is for the national selectors to decide about my selection, for they are the best judges. I have nothing more to prove and I am really pleased with my performance for Lancashire this season."

Laxman, 34, was pleased to have been active for three months in England, after being apprehensive about the gap between the end of the IPL and the Indian domestic season, which began this week. "I can say that I stayed in touch with the game and stayed in the right frame of mind," he said. "Playing in different places and in different conditions in various formats was really a wonderful experience and it was a great feeling to be part of the Lancashire dressing room atmosphere. I am ready for any challenge now."

Since playing their last Test in April, India are scheduled to host Sri Lanka for three Tests in India. That number, according to Laxman, was insufficient. "From a personal point of view, it is really disappointing that India will play only three Tests this year," he said. "I hope the board will look into this issue seriously and do something."

Despite India's poor form in the ICC Champions Trophy, Laxman backed MS Dhoni's captaincy. "I enjoyed playing under him. I believe that both Dhoni and Gary Kirsten form a great combination. Let us not forget that Dhoni did determine the results of quite a few important matches in recent times."