Laxman conjured another magical innings against Australia to help India prevail in a tense finish in the first cricket Test on Tuesday. Laxman's unbeaten 73 guided India to the target of 216 on the final day, after the host had fallen to 124 for eight. The innings, which will rank as one of the great Test half- centuries, was made even more impressive by the fact that Laxman batted despite a back spasm that inconvenienced him.

The one-wicket win meant India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series. While Laxman was the hero, Ishant Sharma deserves high praise for batting for an hour and 46 minutes under severe pressure to help raise 81 for the ninth wicket. Laxman then counselled his runner Suresh Raina and the last-man Pragyan Ojha in a situation fraught with anxiety, as India completed a dramatic turnaround.

Published Date : Wednesday, Oct 6, 05:35pm IST