Katich’s axing criticised

Greats find Australia selectors’ decision hard to understand.

SYDNEY:

Test opening batsman Simon Katich has been stabbed in the back and “appallingly hung” in being dumped from Cricket Australia’s (CA) 2011-12 contract list, said former greats.

Katich was the notable omission when the list of CA’s contracted players for next season was released on Tuesday, effectively ending Katich’s career that saw him play 56 Tests.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said his panel felt it was time to forge a new opening partnership ahead of the next Ashes series in two years’ time, and there was now no room for the 35-year-old.

“I can understand an injury stopping someone in their mid-30s,” former Test opener Michael Slater told the Daily Telegraph.“But that clearly hasn’t happened. I think he has been appallingly hung.”

Former Test batsman Mark Waugh said he found the decision hard to comprehend.

“I know he’s 35, but who’s to say he hasn’t got 12 to 24 months left in him? It’s a bit of a shock,” said Waugh.



Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2011.