Day 2: India batsman fight back; Laxman Century

V.V.S. Laxman led an Indian counter attack with his third consecutive century at the Sydney Cricket Ground to slow Australia's push for a record-equalling 16th straight Test victory Thursday.

The 33-year-old batting craftsman from Hyderabad fully stretched Ricky Ponting's team at the SCG with classic strokeplay for his 12th hundred in his 88th Test match.

Laxman relished his return to the venerable ground, producing his trademark sumptuous drives, scoring 109 off 142 balls with 18 fours to breathe new hope into the tourists after Australia's formidable first innings total of 463.

Before Laxman's arrival shortly after lunch on the second day of the second Test, Andrew Symonds had dominated with his unconquered 162 in Australia's innings.

But the Indian right-hander joined Rahul Dravid at the crease to restore morale after the tourists' 337-run drubbing in the first Test in Melbourne.

Laxman and Dravid fell late in the day, six minutes apart. Dravid was out for a battling 53, caught at first slip by Matthew Hayden off Mitchell Johnson, and Laxman was taken by Mike Hussey off leg-spinner Brad Hogg.

At stumps on day two, India were 216 for three and trailing by 247 runs with Sachin Tendulkar on nine and Sourav Ganguly not out 21.

"Getting a hundred on this ground previously definitely gives you a boost because you've done well and it's familiar conditions. It gives you a lot of confidence," Laxman said.

"I was disappointed that we lost two quick wickets because I really wanted to be not out and carry on tomorrow.

"It's very important how we start off tomorrow morning. If they can build a big partnership we can have a big first innings total and put pressure on the Aussies.... I'm sure Sachin Tendulkar is going to get a double (century) tomorrow."

Laxman and Dravid, who have proved Australia's nemeses with two huge partnerships in the past, amassed 175 runs for the second wicket.

Australia 1st innings (376 for 7 overnight)

P. Jaques c Dhoni b Singh 0
M. Hayden c Tendulkar b Singh 13
R. Ponting lbw b Harbhajan 55
M. Hussey c Tendulkar b Singh 41
M. Clarke lbw b Harbhajan 1
A. Symonds not out 162
A. Gilchrist c Tendulkar b Singh 7
B. Hogg c Dravid b Kumble 79
B. Lee lbw b Kumble 59
M. Johnson c Ganguly b Kumble 28
S. Clark lbw b Kumble 0
Extras b2, lb9, w4, nb3 18
Total all out, 112.3 overs 463

Fall of wkts: 1-0, 2-27, 3-119, 4-119, 5-121, 6-134, 7-307, 8-421, 9-461

Bowling:
Singh 26-3-124-4 (1nb, 1w)
Sharma 23-3-87-0 (2nb, 3w)
Ganguly 6-1-13-0
Harbhajan 27-3-108-2
Kumble 25.3-0-106-4
Tendulkar 5-0-14-0


India 1st innings

W. Jaffer b Lee 3
R. Dravid c Hayden b Johnson 53
V.V.S. Laxman c Hussey b Hogg 109
S. Tendulkar not out 9
S. Ganguly not out 21
Extras b4, lb8, w3, nb6 21
Total 3 wkts, 62 overs 216


Fall of wkts: 1-8, 2-183, 3-185

Bowling:
Lee 15-4-34-1 (5nb)
Johnson 18-2-75-1 (1nb, 3w)
Clark 11-3-28-0
Symonds 7-1-19-0
Hogg 11-0-48-1