South Africa gets desired bat practice

PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Most of South Africa's test regulars - with the exception of injured Herschelle Gibbs - were among the run-getters Monday as the visitors and Western Australia played to a draw in a four-day cricket match.

Jacques Kallis and Neil McKenzie scored centuries while Gary Kirsten and Lance Klusener added half-centuries as South Africa finished on 390-5 in its second innings before the match ended early.

South Africa had scored 367 in its first innings before Western Australia put on 600-8 declared.

It was just the batting tonic South Africa needed ahead of the first test against Australia beginning in Adelaide on Friday, especially after being in the field for 10 hours over the weekend during the big Western Australian first innings.

Kallis was out on the stroke of tea for 120 while McKenzie notched his 10th first-class ton -- and probably his easiest -- shortly after the break.

Kallis arrived in Australia after scoring 590 runs at an average 295 in South Africa's four recent home tests.

His century took 199 minutes but 60 of the runs came in boundaries -- 13 fours and three sixes - as he batted patiently and waited for the bad balls.

He was eventually caught behind off Brad Hogg, the ball hitting his pad and bouncing off his glove as Ryan Campbell took a good reactionary catch.

McKenzie's batting was full of deft wrist work and sweet timing. His century came off 141 balls and featured 10 fours and two sixes.

He fell for 114 when Murray Goodwin took a spectacular diving catch at mid-off to the bowling of Stuart Karppinen.

In favorable conditions, Kallis and McKenzie smashed 157 runs in the middle session as they added 161 for the third wicket.

Kirsten's fellow test opener Gibbs, after making only two in the first innings, was unable to bat because of a groin strain.

Jacques Rudolph, bidding for a test spot at No. 3, was the only real failure -- caught behind off Gavin Swan without adding to his overnight score of 12. He made 59 in the first innings when batting was more difficult.

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