* Australia 303 for four after first day
* Opening batsmen Hughes and Katich hit centuries
(updates at close)
By Ken Borland
DURBAN, March 6 - Centuries by Phillip Hughes and
Simon Katich propelled Australia to 303 for four on the first
day of the second test against South Africa on Friday.
Hughes, 20, playing in his second test, hit 115 while Katich
struck 108 as the pair put on 184 for the first wicket.
South Africa, though, lifted the intensity of their bowling
effort in the second half of the day, spinner Paul Harris
leading the way with two for 66.
Hughes scored freely from the outset, especially on the
off-side, and raced to 75 off 90 balls after Australia won the
toss and elected to bat.
Katich accumulated his runs more gradually as the visitors
breezed to 119 for no loss at lunch.
Hughes, who also hit 75 in the first test in Johannesburg,
moved smoothly into the 90s before two mighty sixes off Harris
earned him a maiden test century.
The youngster survived a boot-high catch to first slip
Jacques Kallis off Morne Morkel on 114 but eight balls later he
mistimed a cut from Kallis to Neil McKenzie in the gully.
LOFTED DRIVE
Captain Ricky Ponting then fell for nine, caught by McKenzie
off Harris after a poorly-judged lofted drive, before Katich
wafted at a shortish delivery and was snapped up at first slip
by skipper Graeme Smith off fast bowler Dale Steyn.
Michael Clarke also missed a straight delivery from Harris
as he was clean bowled for three before Michael Hussey (37 not
out) and Marcus North (17 not out) put on 37 to take Australia
through to the close of play.
With a hot sun burning the clouds away, it was a hard day
for the bowlers and they were especially wayward in the morning.
Hughes dashed to his hundred in 158 minutes off 132
deliveries while Katich needed four and a half hours and 177
balls to compile his seventh test century.
Katich also survived a chance on 55 when Hashim Amla dropped
him at mid-wicket off Steyn but he generally showed sound shot
selection and was rarely beaten.
Australia are 1-0 up in the three-match series.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)