Potchefstroom (South Africa), Feb. 22: Australia XI produced a strong batting performance to almost reach the SA Board President’s XI first innings score by the close of play, racing along at more than four runs an over to finish on 360/4. The President’s XI had declared on 403/7 early in the morning session on Saturday. Australian opener Simon Katich hit 19 fours and two sixes as he hit an adventurous 124 in a near four-hour stay at the crease before retiring hurt. Captain Ricky Ponting fell seven runs short of a century, caught off leg-spinner Imran Tahir at first slip.

Ponting hit 15 fours and three sixes in his 93, and both he and Katich were merciless on Tahir, who, like fellow spinner Roelof van der Merwe, struggled on the Potchefstroom pitch.

After young opener Phillip Hughes had showed some neat touches, he went back to a rising ball from seamer Ethy Mbhalati and edged a catch to the keeper Heino Kuhn on 24. That brought Katich and Ponting together, and they put on an entertaining 185 runs for the second wicket in only 35 overs.

Apart from Ponting, Tahir also bagged the wicket of Andrew McDonald, trapped in front for 23, to finish with 2/92 on the day. McDonald and Marcus North are probably battling it out for the no. 6 spot in the Test line-up, provided Michael Clarke is fit, and both showed reasonable form.

At the start of the second day’s play, the President’s XI added just 10 runs to their overnight score of 393/5, declaring after the loss of two more wickets. — AP