Tweet
SYDNEY (AP) — Dumped test opener Simon Katich launched a withering attack on Australia's cricket selectors Friday, describing the inconsistent selection policies and decision to cut him from the list of 25 centrally contracted players as "absolutely ridiculous."
The 35-year-old Katich, one of Australia's most consistent test batsmen in the last three seasons, told a news conference he was "disappointed and frustrated," but vowed to play on for New South Wales state.
"It didn't come as a total shock on Tuesday, only because I know how they operate, because I've been through this situation before," said Katich, who has forced his way back into test team twice after being axed earlier in his career.
"I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated at the decision, but I also want to make it clear I know I'm not the only player to go through this in the last few years because of inconsistent selection policies."
Katich, who has scored 4,188 runs at an average of 45.03 from 56 tests, figured the decision to drop him was based on his age and had nothing to do with form. He has averaged more than 50 runs per innings since his last recall to the test team.
"To be given the reason that it is because the opening partnership needs to bed down for 2013 (Ashes series) when ... it's been one of the bright spots of our team the last two years, I find it very hard to believe that," he said.
Katich said he had worked himself back to fitness after an Achilles injury hampered his last Ashes campaign and he was committed to playing domestic cricket for New South Wales, while also considering options to play county cricket in England.
Katich was dropped from the national squad in 2007 and told that his test career was all but over. He responded by breaking a record for runs scored in the domestic Sheffield Shield (1,508), earning a recall for Australia.
"When it happened four years ago, basically my whole mind set was to go out and enjoy my cricket wherever I was playing," he said. "I didn't think I was going to play for Australia again and I'm going to have exactly that same mindset."
In an earlier interview with The Australian newspaper, Katich said he didn't deserve to be fired and had "vented his spleen" in a no-holds-barred telephone call earlier in the week with chief selector Andrew Hilditch.
"Do I think I have been treated fairly? Not at all," Katich was quoted as saying. "From my point of view I have had to play through injuries in the last four test matches: two with a broken thumb and two with a torn Achilles.
"I didn't want to play test cricket like that, although I know that is what they have judged me on."
Ex test opener Michael Slater and former Australian batsman and coach Bob Simpson were among the experts critical of Cricket Australia's decision to ditch Katich. Internet media polls showed the public was overwhelmingly surprised by the selection committee's decision.
But Cricket Australia has defended the decision, saying it is in a stage of transition and needs to give younger players experience in the international arena.
Australia does have an aging squad, with veteran batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey both 36, and has plummeted in the test rankings from an undisputed No. 1 to No. 5 over recent seasons.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials
The 35-year-old Katich, one of Australia's most consistent test batsmen in the last three seasons, told a news conference he was "disappointed and frustrated," but vowed to play on for New South Wales state.
"It didn't come as a total shock on Tuesday, only because I know how they operate, because I've been through this situation before," said Katich, who has forced his way back into test team twice after being axed earlier in his career.
"I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated at the decision, but I also want to make it clear I know I'm not the only player to go through this in the last few years because of inconsistent selection policies."
Katich, who has scored 4,188 runs at an average of 45.03 from 56 tests, figured the decision to drop him was based on his age and had nothing to do with form. He has averaged more than 50 runs per innings since his last recall to the test team.
"To be given the reason that it is because the opening partnership needs to bed down for 2013 (Ashes series) when ... it's been one of the bright spots of our team the last two years, I find it very hard to believe that," he said.
Katich said he had worked himself back to fitness after an Achilles injury hampered his last Ashes campaign and he was committed to playing domestic cricket for New South Wales, while also considering options to play county cricket in England.
Katich was dropped from the national squad in 2007 and told that his test career was all but over. He responded by breaking a record for runs scored in the domestic Sheffield Shield (1,508), earning a recall for Australia.
"When it happened four years ago, basically my whole mind set was to go out and enjoy my cricket wherever I was playing," he said. "I didn't think I was going to play for Australia again and I'm going to have exactly that same mindset."
In an earlier interview with The Australian newspaper, Katich said he didn't deserve to be fired and had "vented his spleen" in a no-holds-barred telephone call earlier in the week with chief selector Andrew Hilditch.
"Do I think I have been treated fairly? Not at all," Katich was quoted as saying. "From my point of view I have had to play through injuries in the last four test matches: two with a broken thumb and two with a torn Achilles.
"I didn't want to play test cricket like that, although I know that is what they have judged me on."
Ex test opener Michael Slater and former Australian batsman and coach Bob Simpson were among the experts critical of Cricket Australia's decision to ditch Katich. Internet media polls showed the public was overwhelmingly surprised by the selection committee's decision.
But Cricket Australia has defended the decision, saying it is in a stage of transition and needs to give younger players experience in the international arena.
Australia does have an aging squad, with veteran batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey both 36, and has plummeted in the test rankings from an undisputed No. 1 to No. 5 over recent seasons.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials
