Ton-up Laxman puts India in strong position

KOLKATA: Venkatsai Laxman hit his 17th Test century to help India consolidate their position on the second day of the second Test against the West Indies on Tuesday.

The stylish middle-order batsman was unbeaten on 106 as the hosts reached 433-6 in their first innings at lunch after adding 87 runs to their overnight total of 346-5.

Laxman, 73 overnight, completed his fifth Test hundred at Eden Gardens in Kolkata with an attractive shot, flicking seamer Darren Sammy between mid-on and mid-wicket for his ninth four.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, caught behind twice off fast bowler Kemar Roach no-balls, was unbeaten on 22 when lunch was taken early due to bad light.

He has so far added 37 for the unfinished seventh-wicket stand with Laxman.

The West Indies relied on pacemen Fidel Edwards and Roach in a bid to put pressure on India, but the duo went wicketless with the second new ball in the morning session.

The tourists claimed just one wicket when Sammy trapped Yuvraj Singh leg-before for 25 after the batsman had added 50 runs for the sixth wicket with Laxman.

Yuvraj, trying to cement his place in the Test side, did not look comfortable during his brief stay at the crease, tested by Edwards and Roach with short-pitched deliveries.

The left-handed batsman was once struck on the shoulder by an Edwards bouncer before being dismissed by Sammy, who had replaced Roach.

India were put on course for a big total on Monday by Rahul Dravid, who hit a solid 119 for his 36th Test century and put on 140 runs for the fourth wicket with Laxman.

The hosts lead 1-0 in the three-Test series following their five-wicket victory in the opening match in New Delhi.