* This is only the beginning, suggests Laxman

VVS Laxman, who topped the batting averages for India in both the Test and one-day series against Australia, has no intention of resting on his laurels. Speaking with PTI in Hyderabad on Friday, he said "this success of mine is only a base on which I have to build my career".

After several failed attempts by the selectors to convert Laxman into an opener against his wishes, wiser counsel finally dawned on them. "I was not very comfortable while opening the innings. I always had the feeling that I was trying to do something which I'm not really made for" he said. A masterstroke from coach John Wright to promote Laxman to his favourite No.3 position in the second innings at Kolkata struck pay dirt.

Laxman expressed his debt to Wright for having reposed total confidence in his abilities. "By telling me how good a player I was, his assurance gave me the confidence I needed at that time." The 27- year-old Hyderabadi stylist also attributed his success to the effective use of technological aids by the Indian team. "The computer analysis of every ball we played, during the post-match sessions, helped me a lot to know my strengths and weaknesses".

Laxman said his favourite contemporary batsmen were Sachin Tendulkar and Mark Waugh. "It is delightful to watch Tendulkar play and he tries to be as perfect as possible. Next is Mark Waugh and I like him for his elegance." Among bowlers, he held Wasim Akram in high esteem and also put in a word of praise for homegrown products like Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble and his Hyderabad teammates Venkatapathy Raju and Kanwaljit Singh.

A packed international calendar awaits Laxman as India travel to Zimbabwe in May, followed by a visit to Sri Lanka in July, and he is quietly confident of producing runs galore in the engagements ahead. "I'll try to bat as well as I did over the last few weeks in the upcoming Zimbabwe series" signed off Laxman.

* Ganguly invited for Asia XI vs World XI one-dayer

Saurav Ganguly, the captain of the Indian cricket team has been invited to play for the Asia XI in a match against the World XI on July 8. The match is being organized by the former Prime Minister of Britain, John Major and will be played at Lord's. Ganguly's fellow bastions in the Indian batting order, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, have also been invited to take part.

Incidentally, Ganguly was invited to take part in a match between the same teams last year. However, because of his commitments with Lancashire, he failed to make an appearance. Tendulkar had been nominated to lead the Asia XI on that occasion but he went down with chicken pox on the eve of the contest and Wasim Akram replaced him as captain.

Ganguly said in Kolkata on Friday that he is hopeful of taking part in this year's edition, at one of his favourite venues, where he made a scintillating 131 on Test debut. But with India's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe extending to the first week of July, there may be disappointment ahead. The final of the triangular series between India, West Indies and Zimbabwe is scheduled for July 7, with a reserve day on July 8.

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