Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey may have pulled the plug on their international careers by saying they will never don the Baggy Green again, but Simon Katich hasn’t.
In the wake of Australia’s embarrassing and humiliating 1st innings effort in the 2nd Test at Lord’s, the 37-year-old has stated that he never retired from international cricket, and said that he will answer an SOS call if he gets a call from John Inverarity’s selection panel via Fairfax Media on Saturday morning.
“I never retired from international cricket,” Katich said. ”
I was told by [former chief selector, Andrew] Hilditch I was never going to be picked again for Australia in 2010 – although he did say the same thing to me in April 2007.”
Katich was recalled to the tour of the West Indies in 2008 and, from then till his last Test against England at Adelaide in December, 2010, he scored eight of his ten Test centuries, and 17 fifties, nearly 3000 runs, at an average over 50, becoming Australia’s most consistent, prolific and reliable batsman during the two-year period.
Hilditch has moved on and Inverarity runs the selection panel, on which captain Michael Clarke no longer sits.
Though it is widely rumoured that Clarke played a huge role in the sacking of Katich due to a nasty confrontation between the two after the 2009 New Year’s Test in the SCG change rooms, Katich did not believe Clarke was behind his dropping, rather taking aim at the selectors at the time (2011) who had made numerous personnel changes in the preceding months.
Katich, 37, has played nine matches for Lancashire this season, 13 innings, with one not out, and has scored 874 runs. He’s hit three centuries and has an average of 72.83 and a solid strike rate above 60. His highest score, 200, came on July 11 in his side’s win over Northamptonshire.
The selection of Chris Rogers in the side has made it clear that age is not a factor when it comes to regaining your spot. At the squad announcement in Sydney before the players left for England, Inverarity said that players performing well in county cricket could be brought into the side.
If that is the case, given Katich’s prolific county record this season and his mountain of experience in England, he has every chance of making his way back into the team.
The incident between Clarke and Katich in the SCG dressing rooms shouldn’t be a factor in deciding Katich’s fate. That incident was four years ago and both players should get over it, if they haven’t done so already.
It would be great to see Katich return to the Australian side and possibly open with Shane Watson to reform what was Australia’s most successful opening combination since Langer and Hayden. Or he could slot into the middle order and replace either Khawaja, Hughes or Smith and provide the reliable stability that Australia so desperately need.
Gus
Guest
This is the attitude that hounded Ponting and Huss from the team before their time and when there was noone else performing well enough to justify replacing them. Are you a cheeky pom suggesting axing Clarke? Sack Lehman because of the way you think he looked? After 2 test matches? That's just silly talk. Hitch up your petticoat buddy, now is no time for panic
Gus
Guest
We didn't value the grit of Kat, Ponting and Huss, and how important this was for the culture of the test team. Young players must be inducted into a hardened test match culture. It's not 20/20, test cricket is also a test of character and resilience. the team needs some hard bark in the top order. Katich was Clarke and Haddin's state captain. he's got hard bark, and the grit and determination of a test player. We don't need more pretty or elegant or flashy batsmen. We need backbone. Come back Kat, come back Huss, we need you to show the youngsters how to play with purpose. Without such leadership there is no "rebiulding" going on.
Gus
Guest
Now you're talking!, Hodge and Kat. Two consistent world class players that should have been in the team for the past 5 years. The problem is not bringing them back, the problem was dropping them to begin with. Promoting youth for the sake of it without having earned the selection is generally rubbish. Noone was busting the door down with sheer weight of runs to justify pushing Kat, Ponting or Huss from the team. Stick with class until an up and comer demands selection through consistent performance. The principle should be: reward performance, not potential. The other rule should be - if you select on potential, then stick with the selection for long enough to be sure either way. We are doing what the poms did to Hick, in-out-in-out-in-out... That is how you burn out any potential.
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
I believe it will be Watson who should get replaced, Katich should get a run for the English leg only. As for Watsons bowling the more consistent pressure by Lyon in the next test should perform a similar role.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Paine averaged 40 with the bat in his last 4 shield matches. And anyway Haddin's big runs at shield level hasn't translated to much in the 3 tests he has played lately. I would take Paine or Hartley getting 30 or 40, and taking simple catches rather than Haddin who has cost us big time in both Ashes tests.
Deep Thinker
Guest
I'm one of the biggest Khawaja knockers going around - firstly, because his fan club is hysterical, and secondly, because he is the most talented and therefore by far the most disappointing of the young guys in the country. He is 26 now. Time to lift his game. Lets face it - Khawaja looked atrocious in the first innings, and merely awful in the second innings. I was expecting Swann to get him out every ball. To his credit, he stuck at it and grafted an ugly 50. Then, in typical Khawaja fashion, didn't kick on. I will reserve judgement - but based on what I've seen, not convinced in the slightest.
Deep Thinker
Guest
The young guy need to be up to scratch. They're not. So lets put off the rebuild and hope the Jordan Silk, Joe Burns, and yes Hughes, Khawaja and Smith can have stellar first class seasons and demand selection. The problem with these guys (perhaps Hughes aside) is that they were selected by default because there was nobody else. Not a good platform for a rebuild if you ask me.
davos
Guest
why would u replace rogers with katich im all for simons return ...but I would partner katich and rogers as our openers ...Watson is a walking lbw
Brian
Guest
Team for 3rd Test in batting order Katich Siddle Pattinson Clarke Wade Smith Agar Fualkner Starc Harris Bird On form I would give them more chance than the team they will choose. About par on batting and a better bowling line up
Brian
Guest
I don't think he should be bought back but really your struggling to drop someone. I could make a case for dropping every batsman bar Clarke. I could than add a case of why the 2 other batsman on tour (Warner and Cowan) should not be recalled. The last problem is who to drop.
Michael Mills
Guest
We've been putting off the rebuilding of the Australia team for years. That is the reason we are in this situation. Khawaja, Hughes and Smith could all have been progressively introduced to the team at number six so they could find their feet and develop some confidence. Instead, we have them in positions four, five and six and they play every match not sure if they will be dropped. If the Ashes were realistically up for grabs, I would be in favour of recalling Katich. They are not. The only team to come back from a 2-0 margin to win the Ashes 3-2 had Bradman leading the way. At some point we have to say, you are they guys we want to take us forward and back them for an extended period. If they are the right players, they will come good. If they are not, we can try someone else. Going back to a man who is almost retired is not going to save this series and is only going to further damage whatever long-term prospects we have.
Aakash Atgm
Roar Rookie
Bring back the kat and dump haddin for paine or hartley.Haddin has dropped 3-4 easy chances behind the stumps.thats unacceptable.
Brian Drian
Guest
two fair points! agreed.
onside
Guest
Katich might stop some sniffles, but cannot fix the cold. The cold being the lack of a relevant foundation for Test cricket in Australia.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Paine's been in poor form since he came back form injury. He's not the answer. Hartley maybe? And Lyon, not Ahmed. How about we ask players to prove themselves before getting selected to play for Australia. Too much to ask?
Brian Drian
Guest
How about this? Katich Rogers Kawaja Clarke Smith Watson Paine Siddle Harris Ahmed Bird
Roge
Guest
Unfortunately Watson is worse lower down the order than he is at opener (averages anyway) and as for his bowling he's less reliable than Ryan Harris (apologies Rhino but you are fragile). I'm not against Katich coming in for him and can we find a right hander to replace Hughes? Bailey at least has a calm head on him.
Gordon Smith
Guest
Here are the total runs scored in four innings for each wicket partnership by Australia. 10th 285 4th 182 1st 169 5th 73 7th 67 9th 53 2nd 43 3rd 23 8th 20 6th 14 Quite unbelievable really. The tenth wicket partnership was the highest in one innings and second highest in the other three innings. The opening partnership was highest twice and the fourth wicket on the other occasion (last night obviously). When you look at the 2nd, 3rd and 6th wicket partnerships averaging just over 7 per innings you can see the real weakness of the middle order. They say partnerships win matches.
Brett McKay
Expert
competition...
Enough Already
Guest
Yes to Katich. Since we're reearranging them anyway, why not go for a better class of deckchair? Besides, he was right about Lara Bingle all along.