Ricky Ponting smacked seven sixes but rain thwarted his bid for a century for Tasmania against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Ponting tuned-up for Australia’s Test series against South Africa starting next month with a stylish 85 not out as Tasmania’s batsmen dominated the Redbacks’ bowlers.

But rain halted play for some two and half hours on Wednesday’s second day, prompting Tasmania to declare their first innings at 3-403 when Ponting was on the verge of a ton.

Ponting’s knock was eclipsed by hundreds from Alex Doolan (149) and Mark Cosgrove (104) while Test opener Ed Cowan made 35.

Ponting, to turn 38-years-old in December, was at his classical best and unleashed a series of trademark pull shots which cleared the boundary.

The former Australian captain’s number of sixes was the most he has hit in a Shield innings, surpassing his previous best of four sixes when he made 233 against Queensland a dozen years ago.

But the time lost for rain forced Tasmania’s declaration and left Ponting just short of his 78th first-class century.