Ageless Simon Katich, and teenager Kurtis Patterson, gift-wrapped their credentials to the new national selection panel from the SCG yesterday.
Playing against Western Australia, the veteran 36 years and 98 day old Katich cracked his 53rd first class ton with 125, including 10 fours.
The rookie 18 years and 206 day old Patterson hit a powerhouse 157 with 22 boundaries and three sixes, to become the youngest Sheffield Shield century-maker on debut in history, erasing Western Australian Barry Shepherd from the record book at 18 and 241 days, set in 1955.
The bonus – Patterson’s last 55 came off just 25 deliveries in the 221-run fifth wicket stand between the two lefties, cruising past WA’s first dig 150 between them.
But for Patterson it was a day to remember, and an innings that deserved a full house, not “two men and a dog”.
Having survived a couple of perilously close leg befores in his first 10 deliveries, Patterson celebrated with a chanceless onslaught that lasted just 189 balls for his 157.
He followed in the famous footsteps of two other St George first grade batsmen in Test legends Don Bradman, and Arthur Morris, who both scored Sheffield Shield centuries on debut.
Bradman in 1927 with 118 against South Australia, but Morris went one better to be the first Sheffield Shield batsman to score a century in each innings on debut in 1940.
Before we get too carried away with Patterson’s feat, one innings isn’t a career, but it’s sure one helluva start.
As for Katich, he reminded the new selection panel that the old panel was disgraceful in sacking him as a Cricket Australia contract player earler in the year.
It’s not nothing to do with age. Runs are the only benchmark, and Katich was the most successful Australian batsman over the last three years when he was shown the door.
There were many poor decisions on the Andrew Hilditch selection watch. But the sacking of Katich was the worst.
Yesterday, the 221-run partnership with Patterson was his 30th century stand for NSW, matching “The Don’s” record.
Only Mike Procter, and Mark Taylor, can claim such a feat among “The Don’s” multiple milestones.
South African all-rounder Procter equalled Bradman’s all-time record of six successive first class hundreds in 1970, playing for Rhodesia.
“The Don” set his six in 1937 and 1938.
Former Australian captain Taylor matched Bradman’s highest Test score set in 1930 at Leeds, with an unbeaten 334 against Pakistan at Peshawar in 1998.
Bradman faced 448 deliveries, and struck 46 boundaries – Taylor 564 deliveries with 32 fours, and a six.
Procter and Taylor have had their wonderful moments in the sun, but Katich’s sun is still shining.
The new panel of John Inverarity, Rod Marsh, and Andy Bichel, with captain Michael Clarke and coach Mickey Arthur will do well to remember that fact.
The chances of beating India in a three-Test series starting Boxing Day will rise immeasurably with Simon Katich at the top of the order.
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