Neil Brand produced an outstanding 152 against a strong Australian bowling attack as the Cricket South Africa Invitation XI reached 318/7 at the close of Day 1 of their two-day tour match at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, giving the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon an opportunity to get overs under their belts ahead of the upcoming Test series against the Proteas.

But Brand ensured Australia’s bowlers were made to work.

The left-hander scored 152 from 174 deliveries, striking 16 fours and five sixes in an innings that helped the Invitation XI recover from 105/4.

Australia strike early

The Invitation XI were made to work for their runs during the opening stages.

Captain Lesego Senokwane was the first wicket to fall when he was caught by Marnus Labuschagne off Hazlewood for seven, leaving the hosts 21/1.

Tshepang Dithole and Joshua Richards then steadied the innings before Cummins trapped Dithole LBW for 30.

Richards followed for 28 when he was caught by Cummins off Matthew Kuhnemann, leaving the Invitation XI 82/3.

Brand, however, was beginning to settle at the other end.

He reached his half-century from 73 balls, but South Africa lost another wicket when Lyon dismissed Jiveshan Pillay for nine to reduce the hosts to 105/4.

Brand leads the recovery

Brand then combined with Jorich van Schalkwyk to begin rebuilding the innings.

Van Schalkwyk contributed 33 from 87 balls before being bowled by Cooper Connolly, ending the partnership with the score on 179/5.

Brand continued to hold the innings together and brought up his century from 144 deliveries, having struck 11 fours and a six to that point.

Jean du Plessis then provided valuable support as the pair took the Invitation XI beyond 250.

Du Plessis made 41 from 78 balls, including five fours, before Michael Neser trapped him LBW.

With the platform established, Brand began to accelerate.

The Invitation XI scored 68 runs in the final 10 overs of the day as Brand moved from his century to 150.

He reached the milestone from 173 deliveries, having added five sixes to his 16 boundaries.

His innings finally ended from the last ball of the day when he was caught by Travis Head off Beau Webster for 152.

Jade de Klerk finished unbeaten on 10 as the Invitation XI closed on 318/7 after 90 overs.

Australia share the wickets

Australia used 11 bowlers during the day as they spread the workload ahead of the Test series.

Hazlewood was particularly economical, taking 1/17 from nine overs, while Starc conceded just 18 runs from his nine without taking a wicket.

Lyon returned 1/31 from 14 overs, Cummins took 1/31 from eight and Neser finished with 1/35 from 10.

Kuhnemann, Connolly and Webster also picked up a wicket each.

The two-day fixture provides Australia with preparation ahead of the first Test against South Africa, but Day 1 belonged to Brand.

Against an attack containing several of Australia’s leading Test bowlers, his 152 ensured the CSA Invitation XI finished with a competitive 318/7 on the board.

Day 1: CSA Invitation XI 318/7 (90 overs)

Top scorers: Neil Brand 152 (174), Jean du Plessis 41 (78), Jorich van Schalkwyk 33 (87), Tshepang Dithole 30 (60).

Australia bowling: Josh Hazlewood 1/17, Nathan Lyon 1/31, Pat Cummins 1/31, Michael Neser 1/35, Matthew Kuhnemann 1/46, Cooper Connolly 1/32, Beau Webster 1/41.