Symonds says Laxman overshadowed Tendulkar in Sydney Test

Melbourne, Nov 12 (UNI) Not many players have pleasant memories about the infamous Sydney Test, but all-rounder Andrew Symonds has a few of them and believes that VVS Laxman's innings of 109 in that match overshadowed an in-form Sachin Tendulkar while describing the Hyderabadi's batting as a ''dream''.

The Sydney Test, which India lost by 122 runs, has brought unexpected compliments for Laxman from Symonds in his newly published autobiography 'Roy on the rise - A year of living dangerously'.

''So much for the diamond days, but even the stony days had a bit to recommend them during the Sydney Test,'' he said.

''It's rare to see Sachin Tendulkar being overshadowed by another batsman, but VVS in my book did exactly that during his first innings knock of 109,'' Symonds said.

''Bowling to VVS is a nightmare. His batting is dreamlike, but unfortunately you can usually admire his work in the context that it is making you look like you're novice.

Very very special indeed,'' he added.

While Laxman scored 109, Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 154 in India's first innings.

The all-rounder, who has been out of action from international cricket since September this year, however, made it clear that the two batsmen were at par but it was just a matter of one's perception.

''In saying that, it was like holding a Rolex watch and a Patek Phillipe watch and saying which one looks best? Depending upon your taste, you'll opt for one while acknowledging the other is pretty sharp as well,'' he said.

Symonds said it was a privilege to see the Indian duo batting and added that the runs were just flowing from their bats.

''VVS is all wrist and timing, and Sachin is all balance and quickness. For the connoisseur, you find something to like with virtually every shot they play when they are flowing.

''The centuries they scored and the way they did it, was something that your felt privileged to watch, although when it was happening I was trying to keep it stony-faced and not let either batsman know how their class was going over,'' he added in his autobiography.

The all-rounder further noted that he was not breaking any one's confidence and said it was just the innings about which he was so enamoured that he couldn't resist mentioning about.

''Cricket fans often ask me whether the players watch their opposition like spectators do? In other words do we admire and applaud good batting or bowling? ''Well, the short answer is no. More often than not, we're thinking about how to restrict a batsman or what weakness we can attack on. When batting, you work with your partner and, and if the bowlers are on top, you look at the ways to ride things out and change the momentum in your favour.

''However, I'm not breaking any confidence to reveal that this approach was right royally tested during the second Test when first VVS Laxman and then Sachin Tendulkar put on a batting masterclass,'' he said.

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