POTCHEFSTROOM (AFP)
Ricky Ponting led an Australian fightback against South Africa A on Sunday, a day after being named as his country's one-day captain.

Ponting made 93 not out as Australia reached 218 for 3 when bad light and rain cut short the first day of a three-day match at the North West Stadium. Ponting hit 19 fours in a 129-ball innings.

When play was halted, Ponting was batting with Steve Waugh, who remains Australian Test captain and is leading the side in their only warm-up match before the first Test against South Africa which starts in Johannesburg on Friday.

Ponting and Mark Waugh rescued Australia with a 125-run third-wicket stand after the tourists had been reduced to 52 for 2 by medium-paced bowler Andrew Hall. Ponting survived a confident appeal for a catch behind by wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile off Hall when he had 27. Umpire Rudi Koertzen gave him not out although television replays indicated he had edged the ball.

Batting conditions were difficult early on, with overcast conditions enabling Hall to swing the ball sharply, while fast bowler Andre Nel had the batsmen playing awkwardly on a pitch of unpredictable bounce following the recent rain which had affected preparation.

But Ponting, 27, described by his predecessor Steve Waugh after his elevation to the one-day captaincy as "a tough nut", played aggressively as he and Mark Waugh scored at four runs an over.

Australia chose their probable Test team, with Steve Waugh deciding to bat in awkward conditions because he said he wanted the batsmen to get ready for the three-Test series. The only change from the side that completed a 3-0 home series whitewash against South Africa in Sydney last month was fast bowler Jason Gillespie in place of leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

Hall, 26, who played in 18 one-day internationals between 1998 and 2001, made a ball swing in to trap Matthew Hayden lbw for 18 and then bowled Justin Langer (12) off a bottom edge when the batsman misjudged a pull shot. Hall took two for 14 in a nine-over first spell but received heavy punishment from Ponting, conceding 54 runs off eight overs in two further spells.

The third wicket fell to left-arm spinner Claude Henderson when Mark Waugh sliced a cut to backward point, where Ashwell Prince made a diving catch. Heavy cloud had built up when Steve Waugh joined Ponting and bad light stopped play five minutes before the scheduled tea break. Rain fell later.

No further play was possible and 44 overs of play was lost. Play will be extended by half an hour on the two remaining days.

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