RICKY Ponting and Michael Hussey dug the Australians out of a hole against Derbyshire in their only warm-up game before next week’s first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s.
Both scored hundreds and shared a double-century stand after the tourists had slipped to 48 for 3 against a weakened county attack in the two-day match at Derby.
Fast bowler Atif Sheikh sent back Shane Watson and former Derbyshire captain Simon Katich before Mark Footitt bowled Michael Clarke.
But Ponting and Hussey put the innings back on track by adding 210 in 42 overs before the Australian captain retired out on 116 and Hussey was finally dismissed for 132, the pair laying the foundations for a score of 436 all out.
Ponting was playing at the County Ground for the first time in his career and led a full-strength side with both teams including a 12th man who would bowl but not bat in the game.
He won the toss on a humid morning and although Derbyshire were without five front-line bowlers, there was some swing for Sheikh and Footitt.
But it was a batting error that accounted for Watson.
He tried to whip the third ball of the second over through midwicket and was lbw for five to Sheikh who generated considerable pace in his second game for Derbyshire.
It was certainly a happier start for the 19-year-old who had bowled 14 wides on his debut against Gloucestershire at the end of May and he had another reason to celebrate when Katich forced him into the hands of Wayne Madsen at point.
Footitt had tended to stray down the leg side in his opening spell but he denied Clarke time in the middle ahead of Tuesday’s Test by knocking out his middle stump with one that swung late.
But that was Derbyshire’s last success until well into the afternoon session as Ponting and Hussey dominated the inexperienced attack.
Ponting drove seamer Ross Whiteley for four consecutive boundaries but he should have been dismissed on 79 when he hooked Footitt to fine leg where debutant Matt Higginbottom put down the chance.
He did not give Derbyshire another as he pulled Whiteley for his third six to reach his century off 125 balls and Hussey drove off-spinner Jake Needham into the crowd three times on his way to a 123-ball century.
Ponting made his exit in the 51st over and Hussey’s excellent innings ended on 132 when he again tried to launch Needham over the ropes but this time failed to clear long on.
Marcus North was bowled sweeping Needham for 21 on his return to the county he played three Championship matches for in 2006 but Steven Smith hit nine fours in his 48 which came off only 43 balls and Tim Paine made an unbeaten 52 before the innings ended in the last two overs of the day.
Mitchell Johnson drove Footitt to mid on and Ben Hilfenhaus was bowled by the next ball before Doug Bollinger swung wildly at Needham and missed as the tourists were all out for 436.