Sydney, January 3:

VVS Laxman led a spirited Indian counter-attack with his third consecutive century to temper Australia’s push for a record-equalling 16th straight Test victory in the second Test on Thursday.

Laxman fully stretched Ricky Ponting’s team at the Sydney Cricket Ground with classic strokeplay for his 12th hundred in his 88th Test match. Laxman relished his return to the venerable SCG, producing his trademark sumptuous drives with 109 off 142 balls with 18 fours to breathe new hope into the tourists in their chase after Australia’s formidable 463 first innings.

Before Laxman’s arrival shortly after lunch, Andrew Symonds had dominated with his unconquered 162 in Australia’s innings. But the Indian right-hander joined with Rahul Dravid to restore morale after the tourists’ 337-run drubbing in Melbourne.

Laxman and Dravid fell late in the day, with Dravid out for a stoic 53 and Laxman taken by Mike Hussey off 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.

Australia paid dearly on Thursday for Laxman having a life on 77 when he was put down by Adam Gilchrist off Brett Lee. Laxman careered to his half-century off 43 balls and in one Johnson over plundered 18 runs with four boundaries and a two. In contrast Dravid crawled along with his half-century coming off 158 balls.

Dravid was playfully barracked by the Australian crowd, cheering each time he played a non-scoring shot and on one occasion they gave him a huge ovation when he scored a single after being marooned on 18 for 41 balls.

Earlier, Symonds eclipsed his previous best of 156 that rescued the Australians on the opening day. Symonds, helped by big stands with Hogg (173) and Lee (114), added 329 for the last four wickets. He hit 18 fours and two sixes for his second century in his 17th Test match. Lee (59) claimed his fourth Test half-century and Johnson batted boldly for 28s.

The Australians’ big innings came after being in strife at 134-6 midway through the first day’s play. Indian skipper Anil Kumble finished with 4-106 with left-arm paceman RP Singh taking 4-124.