31 May, 2008
Katich ton puts Aussies in control

Simon Katich hit an unbeaten century as Australia moved into a strong position on the first day of the second Test against West Indies - but it was Ricky Ponting who stole the limelight in Antigua.

Ponting hit 65 to become just the seventh man in history to pass 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

He started the day 61 runs short of the landmark but passed it with a cover drive off the bowling of Ramnaresh Sarwan shortly after the tea interval.

Ponting joins an illustrious group of batsmen, which includes two other Australians, Allan Border and Steve Waugh, to have reached the 10,000-run plateau.

The list is headed by West Indian Brian Lara, who amassed 11,953 runs in his Test career.

His achievement capped a fine day for the tourists who went into the match 1-0 up in the best-of-three series.

Opener Katich led from the front, making 113 not out before bad light brought an end to proceedings with Australia on 259 for three.

The sole wicket to fall in the morning session was that of Phil Jaques, who went for 17 after falling victim to a beautiful delivery from Dwayne Bravo.

Right-armer Bravo got one to nip back and trapped Jaques leg before wicket with television replays showing the ball was destined to hit middle stump.

The dismissal brought Ponting to the crease alongside Katich and the pair prospered, putting on 136 for the second wicket.

Ponting went shortly after reaching 10,000 runs - a moment which was greeted with a brief wave of the bat to the sparse crowd.

The Tasmanian may have suffered from a momentary lapse in concentration as he chased a slower ball from Jerome Taylor and edged into the waiting hands of Xavier Marshall at second slip.

Mike Hussey missed out, making 10 before mis-timing a pull straight to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at mid-wicket off the bowling of Darren Sammy.

But Michael Clarke looked in great touch as he made a rapid 38 not out before the close.

Clarke was also at the crease to share the moment when his New South Wales team-mate Katich got to three figures with an on-drive wide of mid-on.

Stumps Day 1

Australia 1st innings

Jaques lbw b Bravo 17
Katich not out 113
Ponting c Marshall b Taylor 65
Hussey c Chanderpaul b Sammy 10
Clarke not out 38
Extras 16 (lb 4, w 5, nb 7)
Total 259 (3 wickets; 82 overs)

FoW: 1-36 (Jaques, 14.3 ov), 2-172 (Ponting, 52.6 ov), 3-199 (Hussey, 65.2 ov)

Bowling
Powell 17-3-54-0
Edwards 18-3-55-0 (1nb)
Taylor 15-3-43-1 (4nb, 1w)
Bravo 15-1-56-1 (2nb)
Sammy 12-1-31-1
Sarwan 5-0-16-0