Laxman leads India fightback

VVS Laxman hit his fifth Test century against Australia to help India reach 216 for three at the end of day two of the second Test.

Laxman, who recorded his third century at the Sydney Cricket Ground off 127 balls, batted fluidly for 109 before he was caught by Mike Hussey off the bowling of spinner Brad Hogg.

Rahul Dravid also made a battling half-century to leave India 247 runs behind the hosts who earlier reached a total of 463 thanks in part to a spirited 162 not out from Andrew Symonds.

Australia started the morning on 376 for seven before Brett Lee racked up his fourth Test half-century, eventually falling lbw for 59.

Mitchell Johnson hit 28 runs off 30 balls before he was caught on the leg-side boundary while Stuart Clark was trapped lbw for a duck by Anil Kumble to dismiss the hosts.

Symonds, who finished the opening day on 137, added a further 25 runs to better his previous highest Test score of 156, made against England in the 2007 Ashes series, and left the SCG to a standing ovation.

Wasim Jaffer and Dravid took to the crease as India began their innings shortly before lunch with the former dismissed in the sixth over when he was bowled by Lee for three.

Laxman joined Dravid in the middle and the two produced an impressive stand for the remainder of the session, with Laxman hitting 14 fours to reach an unbeaten 73 to take India to 101 for one at tea.

Dravid's stay at the crease was ended as he was dismissed for 53 after wafting at a short ball from Johnson and finding the hands of Matthew Hayden at first slip.

Laxman's innings was over moments later when Hogg tossed up a delivery outside off stump which he chipped into the air and Hussey took a comfortable catch at short cover.