DARWIN (Australia), July 12: Shane Watson made his case for a Test recall on Wednesday when he smashed 161 not out for Australia ‘A’ against Pakistan ‘A’ on the second day of a four-day match at the Marrara Cricket Ground.

Australia ‘A’ captain Brad Haddin made 129 and combined with Watson to put on 268 for the seventh wicket as Australia ‘A’ declared their first innings at a 510 for six.

But Pakistan ‘A’ made a fitting reply by reaching 165 for one at stumps with former Test opener Mohammad Hafeez 86 not out.

Watson, who is making a comeback from a shoulder injury, hit 17 fours and a six in a sparkling innings compiled in front of the Australian coach and selectors.

“My shoulder's really good. It's just great to be able to get some cricket under my belt,” Watson said. “I haven't had a great run with injuries but hopefully by body can, I suppose, mature like it does.”

Meanwhile, discarded Test batsman Craig McMillan made 108 for New Zealand ‘A’ as they reached 332 against India ‘A’ at the Gardens Oval in Darwin.

India were 208 for six in reply at close of play.

McMillan, leading his team, batted almost five and a half hours for his century which challenged the New Zealand selectors’ decision to drop him last month from their list of 20 contracted players.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla took five for 86 as New Zealand ‘A’ struggled after resuming at 257 for four.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA ‘A’ (1st Innings, overnight 307-5):

P.A. Jaques b Hafeez 60

C.J.L. Rodgers c Salman b Khalil 9

M.J. Cosgrove c Khalil b Hafeez 61

B.J. Hodge c Riffat b A. Rehman 25

T.R. Birt c Riffat b A. Rehman 0

S.R. Watson not out 161

B.J. Haddin c Irshad b A. Rehman 129

M.G. Johnson not out 51

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-3, W-2, NB-8) 14

TOTAL (for six wkts decl, 135 overs) 510

FALL OF WKTS: 1-15, 2-132, 3-148, 4-153, 5-166, 6-434.

DID NOT BAT: C.B. Bailey, S.W. Tait, D.J. Cullen.

BOWLING: Wasim Khan 14-2-79-0 (2nb); Mohammad Khalil 21-3-80-1 (2nb, 1w); Mohammad Irshad 14-2-77-0 (4nb, 1w); Abdur Rehman 52-8-145-3; Mohammad Hafeez 31-3-116-2; Riffatullah 3-0-9-0.

PAKISTAN ‘A’ (1st Innings):

Mohammad Hafeez not out 86

Riffatullah c Haddin b Johnson 39

Shahid Yousuf not out 30

EXTRAS (B-2, LB-5, NB-3) 10

TOTAL (for one wkt, 45 overs) 165

FALL OF WKT: 1-71.

TO BAT: Hasan Raza, Misbahul Haq, Bazid Khan, Mohammad Salman, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Khalil, Wasim Khan, Mohammad Irshad.

BOWLING (to-date): Tait 9-3-31-0; Johnson 12-1-45-1 (1nb); Watson 6-0-23-0 (1nb); Bailey 6-2-20-0 (1nb); Cullen 12-1-39-0.

Summarised scores of other match:

NEW ZEALAND ‘A’ 332 (C.D. McMillan 108, M.S. Sinclair 76, M.H.W. Papps 69; Piyush Chawla 5-86, S.K. Trivedi 2-69); INDIA ‘A’ 209-6 (S. Badrinath 55, R. Sharma 41 not out, T.P. Singh 41 not out, P.A. Patel 35; B.P. Martin 2-59).—Agencies