VVS Laxman looked fresh as a daisy after his third hundred in as many SCG Tests, and why not? After all, he had nicked Australia dry on Thursday, 18 beautifully-timed boundaries dotting his imperial 109 on the second day of the second Test.

"It's always satisfying to do well against the best side in the game, and it is no different now," said Laxman, who now has five hundreds against Australia. "I am pleased that I have been able to do it consistently, and in tough situations. I have always enjoyed playing against them. It was a great learning experience to just see them play before I started playing for India, they are a great bunch of cricketers to learn from.

"Coming back to a ground where you have done well before and got a couple of hundreds gives you a big boost. You know how the wicket will behave, the conditions are pretty familiar. But I was disappointed to be dismissed when I was. Rahul had fallen in the earlier over. I would have loved to be not out at the end of the day and carry on tomorrow."

Laxman and Rahul Dravid added 175 for the second wicket, their 11th hundred-plus stands in 59 innings as a pair, and the Hyderabadi was quick to praise his partner. "I was really pleased for Rahul when he reached his 50. He was not timing the ball well initially, but it was a fighting knock. He showed great character today. They bowled well to him, it was a gritty knock by him. Towards the end, he was getting his timing back. We both play our own games, we don't interfere with each other's approach. As a team, we needed the partnership. Rahul's knock was very important in that regard."

Laxman, of course, seldom struggles for timing. "I was playing each ball on its merit. It was a good wicket to bat on. You could play through the line, there was value for your shots," observed Laxman, who played on with a 'bad blister' in his heel. "I wish I hadn't been dismissed, but I was deceived in flight (by Brad Hogg). It was just an error in judgement, not a lapse in concentration."

Asked if he felt he had not received his due throughout his career, the 33-year-old replied, "I have a great opportunity to play for the country. I don't think about the adulation. It's all about going out and doing your duty, my aim is to fulfil the responsibility assigned to me."