Laxman's chance to shine for Lancashire

VVS Laxman may have had little to do in the IPL but he remains one of Lancashire's key players as he returns to represent the county in the 2009 season. Laxman spent a month with Lancashire in 2007, but this will be his first full season with the county after he signed up as the club's overseas player towards the end of last year.

"I played for six to seven weeks, and I had a great time with them last time," Laxman told the Manchester Evening News. "If I can continue that this time around, I will be really pleased.

"They are a great bunch of cricketers to be sharing the dressing room with and it is a great county team to be associated with."

Laxman had a fairly impressive season with Lancashire in 2007, when he managed 541 runs in eight games, averaging 54. The highlight then was his run-a-ball century against Surrey at The Oval which took his team to the brink of a County Championship win, only to fall short by an agonizing 24 runs, chasing a mammoth 489. "It was a heartbreak day at The Oval but we must all be proud of what we did that day," he said. "It was a Herculean task, but coming so close was a great moment for every one of us.

"But it makes me hungry to do it this time. I firmly believe the players have got the potential to go on and do that."

As Laxman was away for the IPL, Lancashire drafted in South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince, who made the most of his opportunity as a stand-in, scoring close to 500 runs in 10 innings so far. However, Laxman did not fear the competition. "Ashwell is a great player," he said. "He has done really well for his country, he has done really well for Lancashire also.

"I will try 100% to the best of my ability, I will try to perform to my potential. I don't think there is added pressure, but there is responsibility to do well for the county."

Lancashire take on Hampshire in their championship game in Liverpool on Wednesday, and Laxman is ready for the challenge. "This will be my first game for quite a long time, and I am looking forward to it. Playing in England is always challenging, be it the weather conditions or the pitch conditions.