Baugh century interrupts upbeat Australians

Australians 89 for 0 (Jaques 44*, MacGill 4-79) trail Jamaica XI 297 (Baugh 111*) by 208 runs
Scorecard

Carlton Baugh's unbeaten 111 was the main stumbling block for the Australians on the first day of their tour match against a Jamaica XI, but any concerns were eased by the performance of Stuart MacGill. Less than a week before his return to the Test side, MacGill earned four wickets as the home team was dismissed for 297 in the final session.

MacGill delivered 12 overs before lunch, claiming two stumpings and an lbw, and he recovered from some Baugh punishment to remove Gavin Wallace after tea, ending the ninth-wicket stand of 89. It was a solid pre-Test workout for MacGill, who has recovered from wrist surgery, and he finished with 4 for 79.

While his team-mates struggled, particularly in the first session, Baugh, the former West Indies wicketkeeper, helped them out during an aggressive display. Dropped on 7 by Brad Haddin, Baugh made the tourists pay by hitting nine fours and two sixes during his 112-ball stay.

Baugh entered at 117 for 5 and started the strong recovery, which gained momentum when he was joined by the No. 10 Wallace. Mitchell Johnson and Simon Katich had both picked up two wickets and it was left to MacGill and Brett Lee to finish off the innings.

Haddin said MacGill made good use of a pitch that was like "rolled mud" and had picked up where he left off in the Pura Cup final in March. "The wicket was particularly conducive to spin, and I thought MacGilla bowled quite well," Haddin told AAP. "Simon, too. Stu looked like he had good rhythm, which is a good sign leading into the tour and having the Test match start in less than a week. He looked really good.''

Haddin said his leg-side miss against Baugh was not a major worry, and he finished with three catches and two stumpings ahead of what will be his Test debut next week. "It's always good to get some dismissals, but in all honesty in these sorts of games leading into the Test series, you're more worried about your own rhythm and getting your game into order,'' Haddin said.

"Chances sometimes aren't really a true indication of how the ball is going into the gloves. But today it felt like my rhythm was OK. We've got a second innings and a few more days before the first Test and with a bit of luck, I'll be alright by Thursday.''

In a sign they will pick a specialist batsman to fill the absent Michael Clarke's place for the first Test next Thursday, Australia chose both Katich and Brad Hodge. Ashley Noffke was left out alongside Matthew Hayden, who was rested.

Katich improved his chances of appearing at Sabina Park with 35 not out as Australia reached 89 for 0 at stumps. Phil Jaques added an unbeaten 44 in a good warm-up for the first Test.

The home team won the toss and the first two breakthroughs came from Johnson and Stuart Clark. Brenton Parchment, the captain, has been named in West Indies' first Test team, and he collected 25 as the Jamaica XI started with a 51-run partnership. Simon Jackson (29) and Xavier Marshall (30) also contributed before MacGill struck.