Laxman hopes to make his 100th test appearance special

By Sanjay Rajan

NAGPUR, India (Reuters) - Indian batsman Vangipurappu Laxman hopes his rich vein of form against Australia will continue when he plays his 100th test match from Thursday.

"It's a great moment for me and for all the people associated in this journey of mine. I hope I can make it special," Laxman told Indian media on Wednesday.

The stylish middle-order batsman will become the eighth Indian to play in 100 test matches when he takes the field against the world's top-ranked side in the final test at Nagpur.

The hosts lead the four-match series 1-0 after winning the second test in Mohali by 320 runs. Two tests ended in draws.

Six of Laxman's 13 test centuries have come against Australia, including a second double hundred in last week's drawn third test.

"I have always enjoyed playing against them. It gives you a lot of satisfaction to do well against the top side in the world," said Laxman, 34.

"They have always been number one since I started playing international cricket."

An elegant stroke-maker, Laxman took the cricket world by storm in 2001 by making a then Indian test record 281 against Australia in Kolkata, rallying the team to victory after being asked to follow on and sparking a comeback series triumph.