Laxman cracks century as India fight back

Stylish VVS Laxman gave ample display of his class with a fluent century as India fought back in the second cricket Test against Australia with a spirited batting display here today.

After the Australian first innings folded up for 463 built around Andrew Symonds career-best unbeaten 162, the wristy Laxman led the Indian resurgence with a sparkling 109 to steer the visitors to a comfortable 216 for three at close on the second day.

Sachin Tendulkar (9) and Sourav Ganguly (21) were at the crease at stumps on a day which saw another umpiring blunder by Steve Bucknor proving quite costly for the Indians.

The Indians lost opener Wasim Jaffer (3) cheaply but Laxman and Rahul Dravid (53) put the innings back on track with a 175-run second wicket partnership on a good batting track at the SCG.

The 33-year-old Laxman, who reserves his best against the Australians, unleashed a flurry of breathtaking boundaries to not only notch up his 12th Test century but also record his third consecutive ton at the SCG.

While Laxman was firing on all cylinders, Dravid struggled to come out of the shell but hung on resolutely to take the visitors to 183 before his painstaking 160-ball vigil was brought to an end by Mitchell Johnson.

Laxman perished soon after, falling prey to Brad Hogg, but the tourists ensured that there were no further setbacks as they finished the day with 247 runs behind Australia's total.