Seeing his 100th run disappear with his partner's run-out and then getting stumped on 99 was not the justice VVS Laxman's innings deserved. He needed 110 balls to quash any doubts about his ODI worth, with a low-risk, high-percentage rescue effort that started when India were shipping water at 20 for 2 in the fifth over.

Eschewing the big hits – lofted shots earned him a total of only six runs - Laxman worked 46 singles from the three West Indian spinners. He was in control, with the ball hitting the middle of his bat, for 80 percent of his innings. Only two runs came off edges, and seven from mistimed shots in what might well be the finest of his 41 ODI innings.

Sixty-four of his runs came on the off side, from a line predominantly outside his off stump. Against the slower bowlers, Laxman plucked 56 runs off 64 balls.

The length the West Indians bowled undoubtedly helped his game plan. Eighty-nine of the 110 balls Laxman faced were on a good length or just short of it, and he preferred staying on the back foot and playing the ball late. Laxman did enough legwork with 53 singles to ensure that he retains the anchor role at number three even when Sachin Tendulkar returns.

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