Aussie Blewett reveals retirement

Former Australia batsman Greg Blewett has announced his retirement from first-class cricket at the age of 35.

He looked like a star in the making when he hit centuries in his first two Tests against England in 1995.

But a record of 2,552 runs in 46 Tests at an average of 34 did not do his talent full justice.

"I probably underachieved a little bit for Australia," said Blewett, who also had spells in English cricket with Notts, Kent, Yorkshire and Surrey.

"But at the same time, I was trying as hard as I could along the way - it's just the way things panned out."

Blewett will stay in state cricket with South Australia as the team's batting coach, but also plans to pursue a career as a TV analyst, having been part of the commentary team at the recent World Cup in the Caribbean.

"Greg has been an outstanding ambassador for cricket in South Australia and was a very valuable member of both the Redbacks and the Australian squads for more than 15 years.

"We certainly wish him well with his post-cricket career opportunities," said Mike Deare, chief executive of the South Australia Cricket Association.

Simon Katich and Shane Watson punish the Indian Board President's XI

CHANDIGARH, India: Simon Katich and Shane Watson underlined their importance to Australia's Test batting by posting centuries as the tourists marched to 1-319 on day one of the match against the Indian Board President's XI.

Prior middle-order collapses suggest Katich (104 retired) and Watson (115) will need to put on more substantial stands if the team is to be successful against India, and then during the quest for the Ashes.

Katich said he and Watson are intent on building bigger partnerships this summer, after not always capitalising on strong starts in their first 12 months together.

''We tried last summer and both of us were getting 80 or 90 and that was it, but definitely in this next period there's no doubt we'd really like to get some really big scores,'' Katich said.

''It will be tougher because we're playing better teams, but it certainly would be nice to get us off to 0-100, 0-150 and lay that platform.''

SA pace bowler Peter George was chosen for his first appearance in Australian colours after edging out the left-armer Mitchell Starc.