Ricky Ponting become the seventh man to pass 10,000 runs in Test cricket during the second Test against the West Indies.

Simon Katich hit an unbeaten century as Australia moved into a strong position on the first day of the second Test against West Indies - but it was captain Ricky Ponting who stole the limelight in Antigua.

Ponting hit 65 to become just the seventh man in history to pass 10,000 runs in Test cricket as Australia closed the opening day on 259 for three.

He started the day 61 runs short of the landmark but passed it with a cover drive off the bowling of Ramnaresh Sarwan shortly after the tea interval.

Ponting joins an illustrious group of batsmen, which includes two other Australians, Allan Border and Steve Waugh, to have reached the 10,000-run plateau.

The list is headed by West Indian Brian Lara, who amassed 11,953 runs in his Test career.

"It (my Test career) started in the Caribbean in 1995," Ponting said on Sky Sports Extra.

"It has taken me 13 years of international cricket to get to 10,000.

"Everyone growing up hopes they are good enough to do it but I am most proud of my longevity in the game.

"I am not one for landmarks, I just try and do my best for the team."

His achievement capped a fine day for the tourists who went into the match 1-0 up in the best-of-three series.