Watson, Katich hit centuries in warm-up game

CHANDIGARH, India, Sept 25,AFP- Australian openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich geared up for an upcoming Test series against India with impressive centuries in a practice match on Saturday.

Watson scored 115 and Katich made 104 as the tourists posted 319-1 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day of a three-day game against an Indian Board President's XI in Chandigarh.

Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 43 and skipper Ricky Ponting on 42 not out.

Watson cracked 16 fours in his 199-ball knock before being bowled by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, while Katich smashed 15 boundaries in a 178-ball knock before retiring. Australia will play two Tests, in Mohali (Oct 1-5) and Bangalore (Oct 9-13), and three one-day internationals in Kochi (Oct 17), Visakhapatnam (Oct 20) and Goa (Oct 24).

Scores:

Australia 1st innings 319-1 (S. Watson 115, S. Katich 104 retd, M. Clarke 43 not out, R. Ponting 42 not out; P. Chawla 1-120 ) v Indian Board President's XI