PORT ELIZABETH (AFP) - Daryll Cullinan staked a claim for a recall to the Test team when he made 86 for South Africa A on the first day of a four-day match against the touring Australians at St George's Park. South Africa A were 288 for 7 when bad light stopped play eight overs early. Cullinan, three days short of his 35th birthday, shared a 155-run fourth-wicket partnership with Hashim Amla, 18, who was not even born when Cullinan made his maiden first-class century, aged 16, in 1983-84.

Amla, captain of South Africa's team at the recent Under-19 World Cup, made an impressive 81 before he was bowled by a fast, swinging full-toss from Brett Lee to spark a late-afternoon mini-collapse.

Despite being South Africa's second-highest Test runscorer, Cullinan has a poor record against Australia, with a highest score of 47 in seven Tests. Injury and previous failures – against Shane Warne in particular – kept him out of the tour to Australia last December, and he also missed the debacle in Johannesburg last week, when Australia triumphed by an innings and 360 runs.

Cullinan made a shaky start, particularly against Jason Gillespie, before settling down to play some fine off-side strokes as he reached fifty off 66 balls with seven fours. He batted for three hours, facing 151 balls, before he was lbw to the medium-paced allrounder Shane Watson, playing his first match for an Australian team.

But Cullinan batted soundly against Australia's second legspinner, Stuart MacGill, and his class and experience could earn him a recall for the second Test starting in Cape Town on March 8.

Amla, tall and confident, batted with poise and style as he made 81 off 173 balls with 11 fours. Although he made his first-class debut against England two seasons ago, he is still a relative newcomer. He made a century on his provincial debut for KwaZulu-Natal against Easterns two weeks ago.

Jacques Rudolph, who has twice been denied a Test cap by circumstances beyond his control, batted through most of the first morning as he and fellow left-hander Graeme Smith gave the A side a solid start on a pitch with early life.

Rudolph, 21, was picked for the final Test against India earlier this season but the contest was declared unofficial after India refused to play under English match referee Mike Denness. Then Rudolph was picked for the third Test against Australia in Sydney before his selection was vetoed by United Cricket Board president Percy Sonn. Justin Ontong played in his place.

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