Majestic Laxman leads India's fightback

New Delhi: A majestic 109 from just 142 balls from VVS Laxman helped India mount a spirited reply Australia's 463 on the second day of the second Test at the SCG on Thursday.

Contrasting knocks from Laxman and Rahul Dravid in a 175-run second wicket stand got India out of a familiar situation after Wasim Jaffer was out with the score on eight.

India also benefited from rare lapses in the field from the Australians, but both the batsmen departed in quick succession as India ended day two on 216-3, with Sourav Ganguly not out on 21 and Sachin Tendulkar batting on nine.

Laxman, who had two centuries in both his previous outings at the SCG, carried on with the tradition with a blazing knock, his 12 Test hundred that included 18 signature boundaries, while Dravid dropped anchor from the other end.

Dravid, who survived a catch off a no-ball early in his innings, continued to ride his luck owing to two dropped chances by Adam Gilchrist. However, the batsman's momentary lapse of concentration immediately after reaching his fifty did him in.

Lee strikes with the bat

Earlier, Andrew Symonds clobbered an unbeaten 162 as the hosts were bowled out for 463 after resuming on an overnight 376-7.

A Brett Lee half-century and a century-run stand for the eighth wicket with Andrew Symonds piled on the misery for India, after Brad Hogg (79) had frustrated the Indian bowlers with the burly all-rounder on the first day.

RP Singh, who demolished Australia's top order on the first day, finished with 4-124, while captain Anil Kumble also took 4-106. Harbhajan Singh took the remaining two scalps, giving away 108 runs.

Umpiring errors continued into the second day when umpire Steve Bucknor didn't refer to the third umpire on a stumping call against Symonds as following replays showed his foot wasn't grounded inside the crease, before a dubious leg before decision did Brett Lee in.

Day one report