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PERTH - Australia and South Africa missed their opportunities to take a clear advantage on day one of the first test at the WACA, with Simon Katich declaring honours to be even after the home side reached 341 for nine.
Katich played a determined knock of 83 in almost four hours and rescued Australia from 15 for three by adding 149 with Michael Clarke, who made 62.
Seeking their first series win in Australia, the No 2-ranked South Africans put the early pressure on the world champions but with Andrew Symonds (57) and Brad Haddin (46) also playing key roles, South Africa were unable to capitalise on their sensational start.
Makhaya Ntini took 3-66 while Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and spinner Paul Harris claimed two wickets each.
"It was a tense little period early on but thankfully Clarkey and I managed to scrounge a partnership together," said Katich, who fell 17 runs short of his fifth century in 2008 in a remarkable comeback after being out of the side for 2-1/2 years.
"The wicket seemed to quicken up a little bit after lunch and play a lot better."
Katich said this innings felt particularly important.
"I know at the start of the day we felt that obviously this is a huge series. At three for 15, that's when you want to stand up and try to help everyone out," he said.
"So it was nice to get into a partnership and get us out of a bit of trouble.
"It's pretty even really. At three for 15, you'd take nine for 341.
"Late in the day we probably got ourselves in a position where we felt like we were probably getting the momentum with a few partnerships but unfortunately a few late wickets (fell)."
Katich refused to blame Symonds, Haddin and Clarke for failing to push on to big scores when all three appeared to cause their own dismissals with poor shot selection.
"When you score quickly that got us momentum on the scoreboard. So I don't think you can be too critical of guys when that happens because that's the way those guys play," Katich said.
Katich said Australia were confident of getting early breakthroughs on Thursday as batsmen try to adjust to the extra pace and bounce.
Ricky Ponting won the toss but South Africa dominated the opening 30 minutes, shocking the crowd of 13,679.
Ntini dismissed Matthew Hayden for 12 and the skipper for a duck off consecutive balls in the third over.
Ponting, after labelling South Africa's quicks "unproven" in Australian conditions, pushed hard at the ball and his exit left his side in early trouble.
Steyn grabbed his 61st victim of 2008 when he had Mike Hussey caught at third slip for a duck.
South Africa gained the ascendancy again by claiming Clarke and Katich in consecutive overs shortly before tea.
Symonds repaid the faith selectors had shown in him with a punishing 57.
The all-rounder shared a 93-run stand with Haddin before Symonds chopped a catch to long-on from the seemingly harmless bowling of Harris.
Tailenders Brett Lee (29) and Mitchell Johnson (18) made handy contributions with Jason Krejza (19 not out).
South Africa's Harris, who took 2-70, remained upbeat.
"Maybe a few runs leaked at the end. But 350, on that deck, it's a pretty good wicket so I think we can back ourselves to get a good lead," he said.
- AAP