Cullinan stakes claim for Test recall

Daryll Cullinan put himself in line for a Test recall with an enterprising innings of 86 for South Africa 'A' against Australia on Friday.

Cullinan, captaining the side, was top scorer in a total of 288 for seven wickets when bad light forced play to end eight overs early on the first day of the four-day tour match.

Australia captain Steve Waugh had won the toss and decided to bowl first on a wicket offering early movement before settling down to be a good batting pitch.

With his nemesis Shane Warne and top Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath resting, Cullinan played with increasing flair to register his only first-class half-century against Australia since his first match against them eight years ago.

South Africa's best batsman of the last decade, Cullinan has averaged more than 44 in 70 Tests but only 12.75 in seven against Australia.

While his record against Australia - and particularly leg- spinner Warne - may be poor, South Africa have few alternatives after losing the first Test in Johannesburg by a record margin of an innings and 360 runs inside three days. That followed a 3-0 series thrashing in Australia.

Cullinan, 35 on Monday, did not tour Australia earlier this summer because of a knee injury and was overlooked for the Wanderers Test.

The stylish right-hander was finally out lbw playing across a full-length ball from debutant all-rounder Shane Watson for 86, scored in three hours from 151 balls and including 11 fours.

Cullinan dominated a 155-run stand in just 165 minutes with South African under-19 captain Hashim Amla, also an outside contender for a place in the Test side although a more likely one-day player at this stage of his career.

Amla, who led his country to the final of the under-19 world cup in New Zealand in February (where they were beaten by Australia) was bowled by a Brett Lee yorker for 81 in part of a late batting collapse, which saw the home side slip from 251 for three wickets to 288 for seven.

Earlier, Watson claimed his first wicket for Australia to give his side an early breakthrough.

Bowling at a lively pace, the powerfully built 20-year-old had opening batsman Graeme Smith caught at wide mid-on for 28 when he mistimed a pull.

Smith's opening partner, Jacques Rudolph, was out on the stroke of lunch for 36. He cover drove successive boundaries off leg-spinner Stuart MacGill but was caught behind off the next delivery playing back to the leg-spinner.

Matthew Hayden and Damien Martyn were also rested by the tourists, with Darren Lehmann listed to open the batting and Watson at number six.

Mail Cricket Editor