Laxman won''t be allowed runner this time, says Ponting

Fri, Oct 08 10 07:22 PM

Bangalore, Oct 8 (PTI) Wary of even a half-fit VVS Laxman, Australian captain Ricky Ponting today said that in case the Indian batsman plays the second cricket Test despite back spasm, he will not be allowed a "runner" if his injury begins to bother him during the match starting tomorrow. Laxman struck an unbeaten 73 as India fought back from the brink of defeat to beat Australia by one wicket in a thrilling first Test in Mohali and Ponting, aware of their old nemesis'' potential, does not want to take any chances this time around. "Learnt the lesson last week (Mohali Test). It can happen obviously. He (Laxman) comes to the game and had a runner. I actually look very faintly that it did not seem he was injured looking at the way he was batting. "I am bit surprised that he had not batted today at the net session. He obviously had much recovery time as possible. I expect that in the game in this stadium he would not be having a runner. No, that can''t happen," Ponting said in the pre-match press conference. Talking about the success of his bowlers in Mohali Test but leaving Laxman scot free, the Aussie captain said the team has different plans now even though he had not trained at the net sessions here. "I expect Laxman to play. Look, when you have a batting order like the innings (Mohali) you got, I have to talk about every one of them. Sachin is foremost and first and probably then, Sehwag but we play cricket with total respect for all of these stars. "Laxman batting with the tail-enders was very very sensible and good. So, we need to make sure that we have got our plans up and working when he bats in this game. I am sure things would be slow and different from the other day. I think it will be different this time. Until we got him out this guy is going to shake a bit," the Australian skipper said. Ponting said his team is looking forward to square the series (1-1) and also win a Test match on Indian soil. "We are already geared up towards doing the job well for next five days. Sometimes you do not achieve the result. I had already said that I was proud the way my boys have played cricket in the first game. Unfortunately we did not click at the right time. "For the Test starting here tomorrow, we are focusing and talking about it. Yesterday we had a long training session and we are going to train towards winning the match. It is from our part going to be a very similar game like last week and hope for the result, which would be lot more different," Ponting said. (More) PTI RE SHN

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