‘VERY VERY SPECIAL’ LAXMAN BREAKS INTO TOP TEN

The artiste from Hyderabad has driven, pulled and cut his way into the Top Ten of the CEAT Cricket Rating for the year 2003-2004.

VVS Laxman, who in the current CEAT Year has amassed 774 runs from six Tests at an average of 86 and 603 runs from 13 one-day games at an average of 60.3 so far, entered the top ten courtesy his hundred against Zimbabwe at Adelaide on 24th January, which was his third of the ongoing VB series.

Laxman is presently ranked ninth with 67 points. With India having qualified for the finals of the VB series and full series against Pakistan and Bangladesh to be played in the remaining part of the CEAT Year, the Hyderabadi in his current vein of form will be expected to add many more points to his kitty. Just five points behind him and 11th in the rating is Rahul Dravid, who along with Laxman has had a wonderful year with the bat.

West Indian Run Machine Brian Lara, who topped the CEAT Rating in its first year in 1995-96, currently heads the table with 100 points.

The Bowlers’ table also tells a happy story from the Indian point of view. Anil Kumble, whose tally of 24 wickets in the Test series against Australia played no mean role in India retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy, has climbed to fifth place with a total of 39 points. The Bowlers’ table is headed by South African spearhead Makhaya Ntini, who is ranked sixth in the overall rating with 75 points.

‘Team Australia’ leads the CEAT Team Rating with 88 points.

Instituted in 1995-96, the annual CEAT Cricket Rating takes into account all international cricket played from 1st May to 30th April. Previous winners of the CEAT Cricket Rating International Cricketer of the Year award are Ricky Ponting (2002-03), Muttiah Muralitharan (2001-02 and 2000-01), Sourav Ganguly (1999-00), Jacques Kallis (1998-99), Sanath Jayasuriya (1997-98), Venkatesh Prasad (1996-97) and Brian Lara (1995-96).

The CEAT Cricket Rating International Team of the Year Award has been won by Australia (2002-03, 2001-02, 1999-00, 1997-98), South Africa (2000-01 and 1998-99) and Pakistan (1996-97).