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Friday, March 11, 2005
The satisfaction of a long-distance bowler
This first appeared on Cricinfo's Plays of the Day.
VVS Laxman rocked back to cut; the ball, a googly, came into him, caught the edge of the bat and hit the stumps. Kaneria exulted; this was his fifth wicket, in his 54th over. Now, which should one clap for more? Those 54 overs under the sun? Or the five wickets (that became six when he had Zaheer Khan caught-and-bowled soon after)? Those overs, unquestionably, for it was his endurance, his ability to keep bowling with guile and accuracy over after over, that got him those wickets. He strode back towards the dressing room a satisfied man, no doubt looking forward to lying on the massage table, with the contentment of a man who had done a job only he could have performed for his side.
VVS Laxman rocked back to cut; the ball, a googly, came into him, caught the edge of the bat and hit the stumps. Kaneria exulted; this was his fifth wicket, in his 54th over. Now, which should one clap for more? Those 54 overs under the sun? Or the five wickets (that became six when he had Zaheer Khan caught-and-bowled soon after)? Those overs, unquestionably, for it was his endurance, his ability to keep bowling with guile and accuracy over after over, that got him those wickets. He strode back towards the dressing room a satisfied man, no doubt looking forward to lying on the massage table, with the contentment of a man who had done a job only he could have performed for his side.
