Laxman withdraws from Sydney grade appearance

Star Indian batsman VVS Laxman has withdrawn from the Balmain side that was due to play Mosman in a Sydney grade fixture this weekend.

The right hander from Hyderabad was originally included among a squad of 12 players chosen to represent the club in the match at the Drummoyne Oval. But he has been forced to pull out of the commitment today, after apparently discovering that he is due to fly home to India on the scheduled second day of the game.

Balmain officials confirmed late this evening that their budding star import will not participate in the match.

Laxman, who underwent knee surgery in Sydney in August, had been attempting to prove his return to full fitness ahead of India's three-Test tour of South Africa which begins next month.

In the wake of his withdrawal, though, doubts are likely to persist over the extent to which he has recovered from that surgery.