October 26 Saturday 2002
Slater, Clarke score centuries for NSW

SYDNEY: Former Test opener Michael Slater and Michael Clarke, the man tipped as Australia's next international batting sensation, scored timely centuries for New South Wales on the first day of their interstate clash with South Australia on Friday. Slater, making his first first-class appearance of the season, made an unbeaten 111 after coming in at the unusual position of six while Clarke made 129. 

With Mark Waugh under pressure to retain his place in the Australian side for the first Ashes Test with England, Clarke could not have chosen a better moment to register his hundred. With Test selector Andrew Hilditch watching him from the Adelaide Oval stands, the 21-year-old stroked 20 boundaries in his four-and-half-hour innings to enhance his prospects of a Test spot when the team is announced on Monday. Slater and Clarke shared in a 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help NSW reach 326 for five at stumps after slumping to 112-4 just after lunch.