Laxman's 281 rated as best Test innings in 50 years

Former Indian batting great V.V.S. Laxman's epic knock of 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens here in 2001 has been rated as the greatest Test performance of the last 50 years.

The honour was bestowed upon the Hyderabadi by his fellow players, commentators and journalists in a poll published in the January issue of ESPN's digital magazine, the Cricket Monthly.

In the astonishing Test match, where he was at his sublime best, Laxman scored 59 and 281. India trailed by 274 runs in the Test and the series 0-1 against a team which was on a record winning streak and widely acknowledged as one of the best to have ever played the game.

India went on to win the match, from a position of defeat, and the series.

Australian legend Shane Warne recalled the masterly knock from Laxman. "I was bowling in the foot marks and Laxman was hitting the same ball through cover or whipping it through midwicket. It was so hard to bowl then."

Australia's World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting remembered that "his work through the leg side in particular was a source of wonderment to many of us. Ultimately we bowled for near enough to two days at him without even looking like getting him out."