Katich renews Test ambitions as Warriors extend dominance

Western Australia remained in a strong position by the end of the second day's play of its Pura Cup match against New South Wales here at the SCG today.

The visitors, inspired by fine centuries from captain Simon Katich (131) and Mike Hussey (100), had reached a mammoth 6/511 by stumps and established a lead of 296 runs over the Blues in the process.

The Warriors' performance was cemented by their ability to produce consistently effective partnerships and to prevent frontline bowlers Nathan Bracken (1/51), Don Nash (0/69), Anthony Clark (2/101) and Stuart Clark (2/90) from restricting the flow of runs. Nor did they allow the quartet to scent many hopes of making inroads.

The Western Australians produced five half-century partnerships in all and two of those continued on to ring in the century. In so doing, the Warriors were able to post the state's second highest total in history against New South Wales.

Western Australian captain Katich was delighted with the way his team had batted through the day.

"We've obviously batted well in partnerships so far. To think that, at the start of the day, (we were) 2 for 140-odd and we've ended up at 6 for 500 - I mean I'll take that any day."

The Warriors surpassed the tally of 3/491 registered in 1974-75 shortly before stumps and are also potentially well placed to erase the score of 6/594 - made in the 1968-69 season - from the record books.

It was Katich who led by example today. The 26-year-old made a constructive century before falling lbw to debutant left arm spinner Aaron O'Brien (1/134). The scalp of Katich handed O'Brien his first wicket in the Pura Cup competition.

Before padding up to the 20-year-old, Katich played an intelligent innings, restricting his use of the hook and pull shot until after he reached triple figures. The left hander serially hit the ball into gaps; pushed singles consistently; and relied on good running between the wickets to secure his century.

That's not to say that he didn't eliminate belligerent strokes from his artillery either, as his century included six fours and three sixes, including two in succession off his eventual wicket taker.

For his own part, Katich attributed the century to a touch of fortune and an improvement in concentration.

"I was lucky today," said Katich, who had edged a catch into the slips off a Bracken no ball when his score was only 28.

"For most of the summer I've been getting starts - 30s and 40s - and I had a big game away today.

"I got caught off a no-ball ... you need luck in this game."

Katich's innings was also a timely one, played as it was before national selector Trevor Hohns. He continues to be the man most likely to fill a batting spot in the Test eleven in the event of injury or a loss of form for one of the country's current top six.

Hussey also played his best first-class innings of the season and was a key force in constructing a platform upon which the visitors could assemble their big lead. With Scott Meuleman (60), he had added an excellent 127 runs for the first wicket yesterday; today, another 139 came in a fine association with Katich.

First innings points - as well as Katich's half century - were duly obtained in the opening session.

Hussey's three figures were raised shortly after the break, though some of the gloss was taken off the achievement when Bracken upset his stumps with the very next delivery.

Like Hussey, young left hander Marcus North (26) fell shortly after an adjournment, though it wasn't until after tea that he edged a flighted Anthony Clark delivery to Michael Bevan at slip.

Brad Hogg (57*) and late inclusion Chris Rogers (36*) maintained the momentum on a golden two days for Western Australian batsmen in both Sydney and Adelaide. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Campbell (57) also played effectively before driving a catch to Michael Clarke off Clark.

New South Wales, meanwhile, used eight bowlers in its attempt to quell the flow of runs. Part timers Mark Higgs (0/9), Greg Mail (0/9) and Clarke (0/17) were even used late in the day in the hope of snaring an elusive wicket. Strangely, Bevan didn't bowl himself on a pitch yielding turn and bounce at times.