text:
Katich shakes Australian cricket
Simon Katich has given Australian cricket a mighty shake. In the most extraordinary public repudiation of Cricket Australia and its selectors, Katich laid bare the discontent among players around the country about the ways of the national selection panel and the part-time nature of its work.
Both Katich and his former Australian team-mate Stuart Clark were adamant about the need to implement a system whereby the selectors were employed full-time and made to be as accountable for their decisions as the players are for their performances.
In just one of many memorable lines, Katich summed up the incongruity of $2 million-earning players being judged by part-time selectors on $40,000 a year by saying "when you talk about money you get the best in the business for paying. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys".
"There's been talk about that (full-time selectors) for a while now but nothing's been done about it," Katich said. "It's a business, there's no doubt about that, that's just the way sport has gone. Being realistic it's got to go that way, because you're dealing with guys' careers. This is not just me, there's plenty of other guys out there as well who've gone through this. So maybe something good will come out of this situation.
"Technically I'm still contracted until the end of June 30. So no doubt the phone will ring and I'll probably have to answer for this. But at the same time, I'm not going to stand up here and lie about it all, because that's not going to help anyone moving forward. Hopefully the review, something good will come out of that review, because this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back."
Having been removed from the list of CA-contracted players on Tuesday, Katich bided his time to compose himself and decide whether or not to keep playing. His announcement that he would continue for New South Wales was followed by what can only be described as a blitz of angry yet focused and carefully-chosen words about the selectors.
"I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated with the decision I found out about on Tuesday but I also want to make it clear that I know I'm not the only player who has gone through this in the last couple of years due to inconsistent policies," Katich said. "I just hope that something good comes out of this situation because I actually think the decision that came on Tuesday was absolutely ridiculous.
"It certainly didn't come as a total shock on Tuesday, only because I know how they operate. I've been through this situation before. From my point of view, to hear the news was very disappointing, particularly because of the reason that was given. To be given the reason that it's because the opening partnership needs to bed down for 2013, when I know for a fact that Watto [Shane Watson] and I have thoroughly enjoyed opening together, and it's been one of the bright spots of our team in the last two years, I find it very hard to believe that [a new partnership needs to come in].
"This is not just about me but a number of players that have felt aggrieved at how they've been treated by the selectors in particular. Not just the selectors, by CA. There's people above the selectors that make the decisions on their futures and also our players' futures because they ratify the decisions that are made.
"I'm one of a number of players that will be in this situation. Having spoken to Paul Marsh, the ACA boss, there's actually no course of appeal against this happening. As a player we've got absolutely no way apart from legal proceedings to answer back."
Katich said he and his manager Robert Joske had seriously considered legal action, via unfair dismissal laws, before reasoning that it would be better to air his grievances rather than drag them through the courts. His venom was directed as much at CA's management apparatus as the selectors themselves, who were placed in an unenviable position of having to name an early squad for the first Ashes Test due to marketing and publicity demands.
"There needs to be more consistency," Katich said. "The facts are a week or two before the Ashes a squad of 17 was named. In my opinion if you can't know what your best 11 is a week or so before our biggest Test series that we play in the Ashes, that to me reeks of indecision.
"The fact that we've had 10 or 11 spinners in the last two or three years whatever it's been, obviously some have been through retirements and injury and stuff like that, (but) that to me is another indicator of the inconsistency in selections. There's been rules for some and rules for others.
"I've got no doubt that it (the 17-man squad) did (unsettle the team) and I'm sure there'll be other players in the team saying the same thing because you've got so many guys looking over their shoulder about whether they would play or not. If you were to compare it to how England prepared, they were settled, they played the same team in all their warm-up games and no surprise that they had a very good campaign."
As for the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch and his phone call to deliver the bad news, which took place just before a fitness test for NSW players, Katich felt he deserved better.
"As soon as he told me the reason, which was what was being trotted out in the press about wanting the opening partnership to bed down for the 2013 Ashes, that got me steaming obviously," said Katich. "Because to hear that when our opening partnership is something that's been one of the strong points of the team, and something that Watto and I actually really enjoy doing. I've received a really nice message from him, of support, and expressing his disappointment that we won't get to open again.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't (consider retirement). Every thought goes through your mind, and this isn't just something I've thought about since Tuesday because I know how they operate and I could see it coming. I've only had a four-minute conversation with Andrew Hilditch on Tuesday, and I haven't heard from anyone else at CA since, and I've been involved in the organisation since 1999."
After Katich's 20 minutes of fury had concluded, Clark said it was "a joke" that the selectors were not all full-time. At present the chairman Andrew Hilditch, plus Jamie Cox and the outgoing David Boon, are employed on a part-time basis, while Greg Chappell is installed as a full-time national talent manager and selector.
"I think it's a joke that they're part-time. You're dealing with $2 million salaries and a guy that works part-time getting $40,000 a year, it's laughable," Clark said. "(Full-time) would make them more accountable. At the moment they have got some sort of accountability, but when was the last time you saw a selector sacked for a poor selection? I can't seem to remember one.
"Selection's a tough ask, you've got to balance a lot of different issues and a lot of different perspectives. Whether this is right I'm not sure, but let's just hope the selection process gets better because of this.
"He's arguably Australia's best batsman over the past three years, so for him not to be selected can only mean that they've just said 'you're too old and we want to go down a youth path' and any other job in the country that'd probably end up in court somewhere.
"A four-minute conversation is probably not enough for someone that's been part of the organisation for 12 years. How long is right I don't know, but surely Simon deserves something more than that."
Listen to the full press conference here
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
Comments have now been closed for this article
Andrew on June 13, 2011, 23:55 GMT
@Anil Kupar - the answer is no they won't, but there is nothing stopping them from handing him a ticket for the plane to SL in August. @TheOnlyEmperor - often disagree with you, but on this occasion I do agree. I am not a fan of the selectors of late.
al on June 13, 2011, 20:42 GMT
@Ram Jegendran: Thank god you ifnished your post with the word "cricketers".
Kannan on June 13, 2011, 11:20 GMT
I completely support the selectors. Their job is to select from available talent keeping in mind the present and the future. Maybe they thought that Axing Ponting and Hussey would ripple a lot of waters and they would have to take more flak especially if the replacements flopped and Clarke was held accountable for performance with a bunch of newbies. Of course, when there is a talent pool with good bench strength somebody would have to be left out even if they feel bad. Would Katich have felt better if he had been contracted to be in the 30 and not selected... after all why should a highly paid modern day cricket crib about not being in the squad? If it is not this year, it could have been the next. Alternately he could have performed well in the domestic / IPLs and have got the selectors to perk up. Nobody says he is a spent force. It's just that he isn't in the 30. All this "travesty of justice" is humbug. Team building doesn't come easy. So let the selectors do their job! :P
Dummy4 on June 13, 2011, 6:58 GMT
There is definitely bias and partial-ism in CA. They seem to be in a mess. They should sack Ponting instead of Katich. Its a Joke. They are thinking Ponting can do a Tendulkar. But the fact is Tendulkar is the Greatest batsman ever and probably the Greatest Sportsman ever along with Pele with both playing under the pressure of Cricket and Football crazy nations respectively. Not everyone is a Tendulkar. Tendulkar was never in Bad form by the way only that he was not getting the Hundreds!
John on June 12, 2011, 17:29 GMT
Their problem is that they are thinking 10 years from now and not 2 years form now. Ponting, Hussey, Katich could have all played til 2013 together.
Ajay on June 12, 2011, 14:10 GMT
Whether people like it or not, I can see Michael Clarke's input in this decision. In a world a Tendulkar at 38 is still top choice (since he is performing), it is difficult to say Katich does not feature in the plans for the future. I can understand placing an understudy, but denying a contract outright is just not cricket. The only positive I can think of in this whole thing is, finally the Australian Selectors can now qualify for an exchange program with Pakistan. They still have some stuff to learn, but they are rapidly getting there.
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 14:00 GMT
Excluding Katich from the nations team and giving his age as an excuse is clearly an discrimination and it needs to be protested and I strongly recommend him to pursue legal route for loss of income because of age profiling. In the meantime,he should look for other options for this summer. He should continue playing cricket in all possible form of cricket and also plan to return to ODI and T20 team ( I am saying this because Sachin & Jayasuryia plays all form of cricket, then why Katich is restricted to Test cricket). There are many England and Indian Club who will like to hire him and with a salary higher than Aussie. Also he should play county cricket in England. Aussie is in a very bad hand ( Greg ) and I think this team will hit rock bottom soon and then realize how valuable Katich is. I'am sure they will have no options but to give him a deserved recall.
Shreenaguesh on June 12, 2011, 13:28 GMT
It is indeed creditable that Katich opened his mouth. Probably, he has nothing to lose. Cricketers across the world, have been critical of their selectors. But their voices have been stifled by their Boards. If the Aussie selection committee is somehow guided by the likes of Greg Chappell, there could be trouble ahead. Greg Chappell might have been a great cricketer, but I don't believe that he is that great an administrator/manager, as was evident during his stint with India. Hilditch himself, was never that great a Test cricketer. The selection committee must also be under added scrutiny, due to the Ashes loss and a bad performance at the World Cup. Years ago, Mohinder Amarnath termed the Indian selectors, "a bunch of jokers"! Dilip Vengskarkar had refused to serve on India's selection panel, which had selectors with zero Test experience. Dedicated cricketers have made the game great and they definitely need to be heard and treated with respect!
Bernard on June 12, 2011, 12:12 GMT
I agree with the Australian selectors that the side needs to get younger but at who's expense. Firstly, it is quite obvious that the selectors felt Simon Katich would go away quietly and he didn't. Bravo to Katich!!. Secondly, Simon Katich is much younger than Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. Lastly, the selectors should show some guts and replace Mr. Ponting and Mr. Hussey with younger players.
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 11:45 GMT
I am a avid Indian cricket supporter but felt I had to write a comment here. Katich has been unfairly treated by the Australian selectors. I wonder if the Australian selectors will do a U-turn and maybe change their minds if enough powerful people argue for Katich's return?
Andrew on June 13, 2011, 23:55 GMT
@Anil Kupar - the answer is no they won't, but there is nothing stopping them from handing him a ticket for the plane to SL in August. @TheOnlyEmperor - often disagree with you, but on this occasion I do agree. I am not a fan of the selectors of late.
al on June 13, 2011, 20:42 GMT
@Ram Jegendran: Thank god you ifnished your post with the word "cricketers".
Kannan on June 13, 2011, 11:20 GMT
I completely support the selectors. Their job is to select from available talent keeping in mind the present and the future. Maybe they thought that Axing Ponting and Hussey would ripple a lot of waters and they would have to take more flak especially if the replacements flopped and Clarke was held accountable for performance with a bunch of newbies. Of course, when there is a talent pool with good bench strength somebody would have to be left out even if they feel bad. Would Katich have felt better if he had been contracted to be in the 30 and not selected... after all why should a highly paid modern day cricket crib about not being in the squad? If it is not this year, it could have been the next. Alternately he could have performed well in the domestic / IPLs and have got the selectors to perk up. Nobody says he is a spent force. It's just that he isn't in the 30. All this "travesty of justice" is humbug. Team building doesn't come easy. So let the selectors do their job! :P
Dummy4 on June 13, 2011, 6:58 GMT
There is definitely bias and partial-ism in CA. They seem to be in a mess. They should sack Ponting instead of Katich. Its a Joke. They are thinking Ponting can do a Tendulkar. But the fact is Tendulkar is the Greatest batsman ever and probably the Greatest Sportsman ever along with Pele with both playing under the pressure of Cricket and Football crazy nations respectively. Not everyone is a Tendulkar. Tendulkar was never in Bad form by the way only that he was not getting the Hundreds!
John on June 12, 2011, 17:29 GMT
Their problem is that they are thinking 10 years from now and not 2 years form now. Ponting, Hussey, Katich could have all played til 2013 together.
Ajay on June 12, 2011, 14:10 GMT
Whether people like it or not, I can see Michael Clarke's input in this decision. In a world a Tendulkar at 38 is still top choice (since he is performing), it is difficult to say Katich does not feature in the plans for the future. I can understand placing an understudy, but denying a contract outright is just not cricket. The only positive I can think of in this whole thing is, finally the Australian Selectors can now qualify for an exchange program with Pakistan. They still have some stuff to learn, but they are rapidly getting there.
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 14:00 GMT
Excluding Katich from the nations team and giving his age as an excuse is clearly an discrimination and it needs to be protested and I strongly recommend him to pursue legal route for loss of income because of age profiling. In the meantime,he should look for other options for this summer. He should continue playing cricket in all possible form of cricket and also plan to return to ODI and T20 team ( I am saying this because Sachin & Jayasuryia plays all form of cricket, then why Katich is restricted to Test cricket). There are many England and Indian Club who will like to hire him and with a salary higher than Aussie. Also he should play county cricket in England. Aussie is in a very bad hand ( Greg ) and I think this team will hit rock bottom soon and then realize how valuable Katich is. I'am sure they will have no options but to give him a deserved recall.
Shreenaguesh on June 12, 2011, 13:28 GMT
It is indeed creditable that Katich opened his mouth. Probably, he has nothing to lose. Cricketers across the world, have been critical of their selectors. But their voices have been stifled by their Boards. If the Aussie selection committee is somehow guided by the likes of Greg Chappell, there could be trouble ahead. Greg Chappell might have been a great cricketer, but I don't believe that he is that great an administrator/manager, as was evident during his stint with India. Hilditch himself, was never that great a Test cricketer. The selection committee must also be under added scrutiny, due to the Ashes loss and a bad performance at the World Cup. Years ago, Mohinder Amarnath termed the Indian selectors, "a bunch of jokers"! Dilip Vengskarkar had refused to serve on India's selection panel, which had selectors with zero Test experience. Dedicated cricketers have made the game great and they definitely need to be heard and treated with respect!
Bernard on June 12, 2011, 12:12 GMT
I agree with the Australian selectors that the side needs to get younger but at who's expense. Firstly, it is quite obvious that the selectors felt Simon Katich would go away quietly and he didn't. Bravo to Katich!!. Secondly, Simon Katich is much younger than Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. Lastly, the selectors should show some guts and replace Mr. Ponting and Mr. Hussey with younger players.
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 11:45 GMT
I am a avid Indian cricket supporter but felt I had to write a comment here. Katich has been unfairly treated by the Australian selectors. I wonder if the Australian selectors will do a U-turn and maybe change their minds if enough powerful people argue for Katich's return?
bharat on June 12, 2011, 11:04 GMT
australian selectors shud be ashamed of this decision..what wrong have katich done?? if ponting can continue to feature in the aussie test side after having performed so poorly for the last couple of years, then why can't katich be there in the team??
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 6:30 GMT
Katich should have played more Tests but by any means he is not a batsman who should be followed by any youngster he is a freak who has a style of his own no youngster should copy his style, it worked for him allright but not a pleasant batsman to watch. He should consider him lucky to have played for Australia where so many stylist batters have played say Neil Harvey Mark Waug etc. Imagine the first 7 batters batting like Katich. No arquements please let us move on give chance to young lovely cricketers.
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 5:24 GMT
Absolutely ridiculous decision from Cricket Australia... Agree with Simon 100%.. CA has doomed talents in the past.. Hard to understand why they sack the strong points of the team... Simon has been a wonderful opener for them in the past two years..
Fazal on June 12, 2011, 5:23 GMT
Despite the dwindling standards & the humiliation suffered in the recent past primarily due to poor decision making & selection policies our cricket selectors don't seem to care a hoot mainly due to the money that they earn from the cricket fans of this country.It's a sad state of affairs unprecedent in the history of aussie cricket. Our administrators of the past contributed their services purely for the love of the game & the country .Our cricket administrators of today seem to cling onto their jobs despite their incompetence purely for money. No doubt we have now caught up with some cricket boards in the Indian sub-continent.The cricket fans of this country have been fleeced & decieved beyond imagination by our selectors in the recent past by poor selection policies & decisions.Though Katich may have played his last game for his country he should be lauded for speaking out his mind for the benefit of all cricketers & cricket fans of this country.
Balakrishnan on June 12, 2011, 5:07 GMT
An ODI team without Shaun Marsh and a test team without Katich is a big joke. What next? Search for someone like Steven Smith's cousin brother to get a promising young prospect for 2021.
Subba on June 12, 2011, 4:36 GMT
When a country sacks its best Test batsman and protects some others , this kind of a retaliation is bound to arise and Cricket Australia stand throughly exposed. It's not a professional body anymore, which once produced great teams. Katich was the most accountable of performers, not given to excuses and always knew that he had to perform to stay in contention. He always delivered. Now, apart from Watson, who in the Aussie top order can claim that?
JOHN on June 12, 2011, 4:09 GMT
Travesty of justice. I have not referred to statistics but I recall innumerable occasions when Katich stood out. Just four injury ridden failures and you drop him ? I can see Greg Chappell's hand here - he is doing to Australians what he did to India. Aussies can kiss their chances away for the next foreseeable future
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 3:47 GMT
Have to agree with the general opinion here, Katich has been one of the best openers in world test cricket for a long time. As an England supporter, it was a relief when Simon became injured during the Ashes, as a cricket fan, it was a shame not to see Simon open with Watto, they can dominate a test match in the first session of Day 1 when they are both on song. The question now for Cricket Australia is: Who selects the selectors? Maybe they are the people who need to move on.....
Dummy4 on June 12, 2011, 1:17 GMT
Yes Simon is correct. Aussie selectors have ruined Aussie cricket - lot of trying out maybe because they are not having the ownership attitude because they are part time.
Khair ul on June 12, 2011, 0:44 GMT
I agree with guesswhat555. If Australia's only aim in cricket is to prevail in the hugely over-rated Ashes rivalry, then they are never going to be No 1 again in world cricket. England have a similar mindset and they will never be No 1 either. You have to get your best team to get to No 1, and that means you don't leave out your best batsman; that is symptomatic of the Pakistan cricket circus. Same with England, you don't go to the World Cup to be No 1 in ODI and leave out your best batsman (Alistair Cook) on the ridiculous pretext that he is not an ODI batsman. The most settled teams are India and South Africa and I think the No 1 position will alternate between the two of them for a while.
Isaac on June 12, 2011, 0:43 GMT
Coming from a WI, I thought Gayle's treatment by the board was something, but boy these Aussies really take the cake. cant understand why the most sound opener in world cricket for the better part of 3 years is left out.not the best work by the Aussie tink tank. just my view on Aussie cricket, not sure if clarke deserves to be in the plaing 11, far more the captain. Ponting a far better bet, and besides being 3rd only 2 lara and tendulkar, certainly deserves to lead the Aussies. closing remarks, steve smith is hugely overated, underappreciated hussey bros .
Matt on June 12, 2011, 0:41 GMT
after 236(!) comments, from al over the cricketing world, overwhelmingly in support of Simon Katich, and overwhelmingly critical of Chappell and Hilditch, there's absolutely nothing I can add that hasn't already been said. Except to wonder whether" The Selectors" and CA have enough respect for the knowledgable and passionate sricket fans on forums like this to actually read these comments and take note. I'm not saying that national selection should be conducted via cricinfo comment posts, but surely we can't ALL be wrong in thinking that the selectors should justify their decisions, and their positions. Maybe Katto is getting on a bit, but he's performed consistently well over the last few years. Can we say the same about the selectors?
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 22:53 GMT
The Legends of the Fall. Cricket Australia.
Oscar on June 11, 2011, 22:42 GMT
Despite of having the best players in the world who are sold in the IPL for millions, Australia is no. 5 on the ladder in the ICC rankings, apart from a few favourite players in the team all other players plays with a high level of pressure to perform, even people like Katich who have been the backbone of Australian cricket have been unappreciated. There is total discontent and disharmony amongst players.
When India appointed Greg Chappel the country started its slump and Australia did not learn from India's big mistake. In my opinion Hilditch, Chappel cannot offer Australia anything positive. My solution first get rid of Sutherland and then for Australia's sake get rid of Hilditch, Chappel, Cox and thank god Boon is going.
Johnathon on June 11, 2011, 21:56 GMT
What has gone wrong with Cricket Australia? The problem with Australian Cricket is that some of the seniors (Ponting especially) are declining in performance, yet are still there because of their past. It is NOT about age and never should be (i find that very sad), but should be solely on performance. Katich is a very fine player and is sorely needed, especially now that Australia is on the decline. The idea is to balance the experience and the inexperienced so that the inexperienced become experienced. Not make a team full of inexperienced youngster that do badly and lose confidence
A on June 11, 2011, 21:46 GMT
Simos Katich....YOU ROCK BUDDY..You don't deserve this. Love from India.
Tim on June 11, 2011, 15:25 GMT
I am dismayed by the selectors' decision to axe our best performing batsman but rapt at Katich's response. As he said, it may do some good for Australian cricket in the long run. This is because it may well prove to be the last straw for the Australian cricketing public. The fact is the selectors are incompetent. Hilditch is simply terrible and must go. Then there is Greg Chappell. He was a champion batsman but hasn't achieved much else in cricket. Compared to others, it couldn't be said he was a good captain. Moreover, in selfishly picking and choosing tours in the early 80s he created instability that ultimately led to Australian cricket's lowest point in modern times. Further, he was a failure as manager of South Australia and a debacle as coach of India (how could he stuff up that team so badly?). But because is G.S.Chappell he has a prime role in Australian crricket and isn't he stuffing things up royally. His appointment is yet another CA stuff up.
Sam on June 11, 2011, 15:06 GMT
Great stuff from Simon. It is an admirable thing to put your career on the line for the benefit of others. I respect him even more for being level headed enough to compose himself before launching his rebuttal. We all saw the terrible management of the Ashes squad. Players were replaced after one bad game and the squad was too ill-defined to start with. North was given too many lifelines and was in poor touch. The best spinner available, and handy batsman, Nathan Hauritz was dropped. Once a spinner was decided on they were never safe from the swift axe. I don't care about the disparity of pay between player and selector, just that there is a care factor from both parties. For selectors to have a big care factor they need to have something on the line.
John on June 11, 2011, 15:00 GMT
rcoight, Lee and Punter are some of the most valuable players we have none those so called youngsters are even in their league. Don't make ridiculous statements.
Ryan on June 11, 2011, 14:23 GMT
How to win the 2013 Ashes: send Greg Chappell to England. Yep, it's as simple as that.
ramdular on June 11, 2011, 13:09 GMT
I think the Australian selectors are puppets just like their WI counterpart ,they are told what to do.If the selectors cannot function on the job why not resign.
ramdular on June 11, 2011, 13:09 GMT
I think the Australian selectors are puppets just like their WI counterpart ,they are told what to do.If the selectors cannot function on the job why not resign.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 13:05 GMT
greg chappell, A great batsman and the worst administrator. The only place where he'll fit at the moment is probably with Zim cricket board if not in a museum.
Francis on June 11, 2011, 12:52 GMT
Hey guys, we can vote with our feet. Stay away from cricket matches and don't watch cricket on the TV. That'll hit CA where it hurts most.
prakash on June 11, 2011, 12:48 GMT
I agree with Katich, as long as selectors wont change, CA will see its destruction itself. I think other cricketers like katich should come forward and speak out! Pointing >> Clark >> Watson ?>> Haddin ? >> next who??? CA needs stability It comes only by good selectors, I bet.!
Christopher on June 11, 2011, 12:42 GMT
I shake with rage when i think of the harm that this administration has wrought on australian cricket for the last 4 years-of the men theyve ruined and the shame theyve brought.My only wish is to see every last one of them,from Jack Clarke and Sutherland,through Hilditch,to Nielsen,cast into the void of history,never to darken our great game again.Im 44 and grew up listening to McGilvray and Co,men of honour all of them,reporting on ABC radio from distant fields.These commentators were the connection to our great heritage-men who had seen the dark of war,had lived through the Depression,had been there to pass on the wisdom that the virtues of honesty,valour,mateship,toil,intelligence and honour are timeless.More than a sport,cricket has always been a way that a father could share these truths with his son.This administration has stolen that.In its place is a hollow,vile,discriminatory commercial shell that is incapable of wisdom because it accepts no responsibility for its actions.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 11:00 GMT
Im proud that Katich did this, but this is also the worst news i have eard in a long time. Im shocked.
Karl on June 11, 2011, 10:38 GMT
Katich has spoken his mind about the selectors the best since David Hookes & Wayne Phillips - funny they did it at a time when we were losing a lot of games and were two of the better cricketers of the period.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 10:14 GMT
Gone are the days where the natural talent combined with the sporting culture of Australians honed by the added science of the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) are enough to produce 3 teams that could beat the world at the same time. If the ACB don't fix this ASAP, Australian cricket is at risk of mirroring the West Indies.
Paul on June 11, 2011, 9:50 GMT
The dummy is out of the pram and on the floor. Simon Katich is now proving how lucky Australia was that he never made captain. What a disgraceful performance. The problem is that people have been telling him since he made his first class debut that he was virtually guaranteed a spot and eventually the captaincy. Arrogant - no wonder he moved to NSW.
Cricinfouser on June 11, 2011, 8:07 GMT
the selectors r just crazy
david on June 11, 2011, 8:00 GMT
Why would you axe Katich?????????????????? Most runs apart from Cook!! You're not fairly treated!!!!
David on June 11, 2011, 7:57 GMT
I like Katich... love the way he walks across the wicket before every shot. He and Watson were the glue at the top of the Aussie order. Katich was one of the few Aussies that did perform during the Ashes, and he's certainly not the worst player on the Australian team by a long shot. Hope he sticks around.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 7:39 GMT
as long as australian cricket is in the hands of people like greg chappell, the future of indian cricket is secure. please dont send him back to us.
James on June 11, 2011, 7:19 GMT
I am most grateful to Katich for this. I have found it very hard to take Australian cricket seriously when it has selectors employed part-time and giving ludicrous, cloaked, abstruse rationales that imply sheer ability does not count. My God! I am not, as a spectator, going to accept selections that factor in tenebrous futures like 2013. What a bunch of failed fortune-tellers we have in our way!
Nalin on June 11, 2011, 7:04 GMT
Good on you mate, about time
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 6:55 GMT
The dropping of Simon Katich is a real shocker...he has been a reasonably effective opening batsman for Australia and a very good fielder..and it is not that lots of talented opening batsmen were left out to accommodate him...give me one opening batsman other than Watson who can match his stature in Australian cricket today.Error in judgement is a serious lapse in any profession.A cricketer looses his wicket and gets the axe due to such errors in judgement..it should apply to the selectors also.
Arun on June 11, 2011, 6:30 GMT
Poor Simon, only if he 'looked' a little better when playing the cover drive....
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 6:22 GMT
'Cry Babies' axing their own feets on the name of 'Change', after the shocking Ashes loss & the dis-appointment of the WC, 2011.
kanik on June 11, 2011, 4:55 GMT
haha this is funny..good times for CA
George on June 11, 2011, 4:24 GMT
Soon Michale Clark will be added to this list. Clark, dont support the selectors too much, you are also going to be part of this very soon, your captaincy wont last long..count it.
Ashok on June 11, 2011, 4:22 GMT
SOMEONE IS TO BELL THECAT AND YOU DID IT. Well done bro (Simon)! Experience and maturity deserves weightage. Age should not be criteria. How a 2 million-earning players being judged by part-time selectors on $40,000 a year? 100% agreed. The above rules also apply to employment agencies in Australia.. Good luck for your future.
Neil on June 11, 2011, 4:22 GMT
A true indication of the selectors ability was shown when they chose the squad for the recent tour of Bangladesh. Ponting, Brett Lee.....why take these veterans on such an insignificant mickey mouse tour? Why didn't they take some quality youngsters on that tour instead of these washed up vets? Gold Watch time is it? Brett Lee is contracted again!! That's a step forward isn't it!! So many young quicks around and he gets another lucrative deal. Will he be part of the next World Cup? No!! So why bother with him. Hypocrisy everywhere. Since Hilditch came on board it's been a farce. Best solution....bring back our best Chairman of Selectors ever,Trevor Hohns. He made the tough calls on players and his timing was always impeccable. If he was involved now, Ponting and Brett Lee would have their slippers on drinking hot Milo and not being gifted huge amounts of money when their time is clearly up. CA needs to be revamped as well, they have lost the plot too.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 3:53 GMT
With Someone like Greg Chapell at helm as National talent scount, Best of luck australia . You exported Greg to India and we went straight out of World cup first round. Hopefully you will lose tests in only three days and not first day itself
Ravi on June 11, 2011, 3:52 GMT
Selector-player issues are not new. Sourav Ganguly, Marvan Atapattu, Simon Katich, Martin Crowe etc... all have been victims of these issues.
Use technology here too. Remove human minds for decision making.
Ramakrishnan on June 11, 2011, 3:27 GMT
List No.1: Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ian Healy, Justin Langer, Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.. List No.2: Michael Bevan, Jason Gilliespie and Stuart Clark.. List No.3: Michael Hussey and Simon Katich.. List No.4: Michael Clarke, Marcus North and Cameron White. To elaborate... No.1 - players who were hounded into retirement, No.2 - players who were dumped unceremoniously, No.3 - Players on whom the Axe is always kept ready to be dropped anytime.. and No.4 - The Blue Eyed Boys of Australian Cricket Selectors.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 3:26 GMT
@Dagamechanger: you said it dude. I am perplexed by the ability of Mr Greg Chappel to ruin careers. Every one is quite vocal about blaming Hildich and there is no doubt that he deserves it. But Chappel was always the one who was bugged with the idea of running behind youth irrespective of how good the people are doing their job. He is not hesitant to screw things up for the said theory of looking at a brighter tomorrow but the bottom line is that he is smashing around everything thats working fine. I said this earlier also and i am gonna say it again. May God Bless CA.
Tahir on June 11, 2011, 2:53 GMT
We will all miss Katich and his elegance top of the order. Only Aussies can take such steps and you can easily name greats who retired after not being selected while selectors were looking to the future stars. On the other hand we still have tendulkar, dravid and Laxman waiting for their chance which is a defensive approach from the indian board despite being champions. We have seen hayden, gilly and warne as being the heroes of IPL long after they were shown the door by the aussie selecors. My sympathies are with Katich but that's the way selectors have dealt with other legends of the game who would surely have played to keep australia's top spot.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 2:52 GMT
Politics is everywhere - Even it appeared in Australia too - :)
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 2:35 GMT
Katich is right - the selectors have just picked anyone to be in the team without providing any sense of what the player has to do to qualify for the position. Players need clear guidelines of what they have to do to be considered for contracts or selection. In the 90's, there was so much talent around that at everyone knew you had to score an avalanche of runs or take lots of wickets over a number of years just to be considered. Now the selectors just pick whoever they think looks good.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 2:19 GMT
I support Katich fully. He spoke what was needed to be spoken before. He had the guts to speak out. He may have to face the consequences for this but I am sure truth will come out and he will prevail.
Dummy4 on June 11, 2011, 2:12 GMT
Onya Kat, stick it up em. How about we use social networking to pick the team, then the Australian public can actually have a say. BRING BACK KATTO!
Harris on June 11, 2011, 1:41 GMT
@Suresh, dude get your facts straight, INDIAN board is the most egoistic cricket board!
Dhaval on June 11, 2011, 1:28 GMT
Please anyone in the selection committee please explain me that how Punter played better Test Cricket then Kato...???? If you are planning to have just 1-2 35+ players than Punter's place in the side is doubtful....
Antony on June 11, 2011, 1:13 GMT
Maybe we should deal with our mediocrity by stealing the best players from South Africa. Been done before, seems to work pretty well.
Scott on June 11, 2011, 0:49 GMT
Selectors should be accountable for bad decisions? How do you judge if it's a bad decision? How long did it take Steve Waugh to score a test century? Was it a bad decision to pick him and stick with him? Shane Watson has been doing a good job since he replaced Hughes over in England.Who says he wouldn't have scored 10 centuries if he'd been batting down the order? Who says Hughes wouldn't have hit two centuries in the next test? (it's not as if any of the batsmen were doing amazingly well anyway.)
So when is it the selectors fault and when is it the players?
Unmesh on June 11, 2011, 0:10 GMT
I really liked the way Katich spoke in the press conferece. There is no mincing of words..he is just stating the facts... whatever he said absolutely makes sense. Australian selection policy has been a bit weird and uncertain for last couple of years...and their handling of spinners..less said the better!
Matt on June 10, 2011, 23:49 GMT
@PottedLambShanks - Katich was useless against the top sides? I don't think so. He averaged 47 in 14 tests against India and 46 in 6 tests against South Africa.
Divya on June 10, 2011, 23:29 GMT
Good job Katich! Hopefully CA will make changes.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 23:05 GMT
cricket australia needs to regroup and get their selection prioties in place.this simon katich isseue is indeed ridiculous.simon is one the the best opener in the world right now
Keith on June 10, 2011, 22:46 GMT
This decision is a mistake, and I don't agree that his age should be a big issue unless he is failing as a batsman: to an extent it is a bonus in terms of experience and steadiness. I think it worthwhile to have a certain amount of experience in a good batting line up to go with the raw young talent. Unless CA are confident that they will uncover the next genius batsman a little quicker by doing this - and they really should know better - then Australia will miss his valuable contributions. The replacements don't impress that much.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 21:39 GMT
well all i can say is cheerio katich as we have a 5 niller thanks to you aussies!!! WAHEY!!!!! katich is better than bloody shaun o keefe atbowloing. Im sure that the selectors know what theyre going on about lol. i agree with suresh sadaram that it must be one of the bravest things to ever do. This guy is a nice guy i met him in 2006 and he is a great guy. i am biased but he is the only aussie i like tbh.
Ryo on June 10, 2011, 21:18 GMT
All the players who have been banned and/or unceremoniously dropped by their respective boards should all team up and form the 12th Man Team.... *cue A Team music*. Starring Shahid 'LALA' Afridi as Hannbal. Chris Gayle as Baracus. Simon Katich as 'Faceman'. Slinga Malinga as 'Howling Mad Malinga'. "These men promptly escaped from their maximum security boards into the cricketing wilderness. Today, still shunned by their national boards, they survive as cricketers of fortune. If you have a cricketing problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the 12th Man Team."
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 20:00 GMT
Why is Chappell0 still involved in cricket? Unlike his elder brother, he never seemed to have an understanding of either game or people. He never was much of a captain, his most memorable moment being when he told brother Trevor to bowl underarm. And, as has been pointed out, he wasn't a great success in India in a managerial role, so why is he suddenly deemed suitable to aid Australia in crisis? What does he have to offer other than his name as a great batsman?
jamie on June 10, 2011, 19:09 GMT
This is very funny!! Glad Katich is being honest and exposing the joke that aus cricket has become! Average players, rubbish administration...it's a long long road back to the top....the rest of the cricket world will enjoy watching the slow and painful progress!
Subba on June 10, 2011, 18:19 GMT
It's ridiculous and I support katich like would, any sensible Australian. Katich's contribution as a batsmaninthe last 3 years to Australian cricket is far far ahead of the likes of Ponting and he's done so in the most critical of situations. Ponting should have been axed long ago but he stays on, while Katich gets the boot. Quite inconprehensible the ways of Australian cricket. Looks like they want to remain in the dumps forever.
Alex on June 10, 2011, 18:18 GMT
So what are you going to do Simon? Yeah the selection was pretty woeful, especially the 17-man-squad and spinners issue. But one simple explanation - the players weren't there - lots of mediocre guys but few top-class left. The England selectors used to get rightly pilloried in the 1990's for inconsistency but they suffered broadly the same problem and, although you can certainly say they have got better and indeed swung the other way entirely, it's not principly them who turned English cricket around. Selection is a difficult job but this site is full of armchair selectors who do it every week and probably wouldn't do much worse than the pros. The accountability for these part-time guys is a question, of course, but try getting management anywhere to carry the can for failure. The big issue at root is the obvious one - the talent pool has dwindled hugely for Aussie cricket and this is not something selectors can do a lot about. The Aussies need to learn to scrap and make do for a bit.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 18:13 GMT
Don't you love the irony, Kato, one of Aus's better openers, dropped by Hilditch, one of Aus's worst, brilliant! Fair play Simon Katich, you pick your best players, end of, Hughes, Khawaja, they have to serve their time in the shield i'm afraid.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 17:34 GMT
Its a shame that a player who has scored loads of runs at an avg of 55 in the past 3 years for the australian side has been dropped. I guess its typical wherever Greg Chappel is involved. He did the same with the Indian team, got rid of ganguly, messed up irfan's career and then the shameful 1st round exit at the 2007 world cup.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 17:32 GMT
Ridiculous is right. Get him back in the team!
sid on June 10, 2011, 17:31 GMT
Katich's average - 2009/10 - 47 Clarke's average - 2009/10 - 29 Now dont get me started with ponting and north who got numerous chances. You kick a guy out cuz he is 35 and dont fit in your ashes scheme. Ashes WTH. If ashes is the only criteria for selection then sorry my aussie friends I dont see aussie ever regaining number 1 spot in tests again. Look at england they think the same way and have never come close to number 1 and mark my word they will never be number 1. Ok now you pick hughes/or who ever as an opener to prepare him for the most over rated rivalry ASHES 2013, now he gets injured right before the ashes. Now what?!!!
Divya on June 10, 2011, 17:15 GMT
I think Katich should have been allowed to play till the next Ashes. As someone said, he has never been on the winning side in an Ashes series, maybe it's time for redemption. Isn't that why Ponting is also looking to play till the next one so he can win on English soil? Two years is enough to get a settled combination for the next World Cup, especially since Watson will be pretty stable at the top already, so theyll just need to find one other guy out of an abundance of options. I agree with Warne, either Katich should've stayed in the team, or him, Ponting and Hussey should have been removed.
Jay on June 10, 2011, 16:47 GMT
Let's face the facts guys: Australia doesn't have quality players any more. If you want to add guys like David Warner, Luke Pomersbach, Steven Smith etc to that list then you are living in pretension. Australia is surely but slowly heading towards the direction of WI. Most of their players are not interested to play cricket. I have spoken to many Australian friends and NONE of them like cricket. They rather prefer video games, or rugby, or soccer, or baseball, or KFC. Cricket is a dying breed in Australia and the selectors have confirmed that with the inception of a new big bash league. Sorry Katich, looks like you have seen your finest hour in the Australian team. Good luck.
Martin on June 10, 2011, 16:45 GMT
Oh! - This is priceless! Hear those chooks coming home to roost anyone? Back before The Ashes started I pointed out that Merv Hughes wasn't just walking off the selectors panel to go and get another cold one - he was walking off in disgust at what was going on at the top of Cricket Australia. I said it was a sure sign that Aus had major problems. When I pointed this out I got my arse kicked by about 7 miliion Aus fans. Where are you now guys? The problem with this outburst from Katich - even though I strongly applaud it - is that it now ensures that the people at the top will dig in even more. For sure the man has a right to speak his mind and knowing what we do about Clarke and his throat - it was inevitable that he was going to do so. Couldn't Aus cricket managers even see this was going to happen when they dumped him? @PottedLambShanks; direct hit! Nice One! Truth is the fundamental mistakes were made in response to the 2005 Ashes - now Aus are living with the consequences.
anthony on June 10, 2011, 16:44 GMT
The elder (Ian Chappell) brother needs to have a one on one with this younger brother of his- what is his game plan? Greg is doing to Oz Cricket what he successfully did to Indian cricket- destroying player morale. But do the younger Oz cricketers have the resilience of the old war horses?
The 2007 world cup fiasco was a well planned player revolt that got rid of Greg. Will the Oz team do the same to him ;all be it in a subtle way?
Part time selectors are mere puppets there are more powerful individuals with vested interests pulling their strings
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 16:39 GMT
IF age is an issue then why ponting is in the team
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 16:35 GMT
Katich definitely deserves better respect from Aus cric board. He is one of their best test players, even ahead of their current captain! Hats-off to Katich for speaking out in public! Whether selectors need to be fulltime or not is not the issue - but they have to respect good players and chose impartial team. Kudos Katich! - Girish, Bangalore
Alex on June 10, 2011, 16:19 GMT
It is not part Time selectiors creamated katich. It was Greg Chappell. I always like greg chappell . even when he was in india as coach. Yes he failed badly because people did not buy into his methods. But there is a issue here. Greg Chappel create chaos with his selection. And he is not accountable. I really think Greg chappell is more strategist than leader or even selector. He should advice selectors but not select people.
Even though he always has good intention , his group of selection never had chemistry. Removing katich is not big issue. Does he has replacements? Big if.
Katich wana blame some one , he has to blame Greg chappell. For greg chappell he has to find better youth and fast before things gets ugly as he was in india.
Aussies can sense bad things....mile away.
Greg chappelll is good for teaching young kids like school master not for mature people. Chaos is needed in shaping youing people mindnot grown man. it mess them up.
Jem on June 10, 2011, 16:14 GMT
I feel for Simon Katich who is one of cricket's gentlemen as well as a fine batsman and competitor The decision to drop him because of his age is actually directly comparable to the forces that pushed Paul Collingwood to retire from Test match cricket and then for him to lose the T20 captaincy. When will people realise that age is irrelevant, only fitness, class and form should matter. In Colly's case it could be argued that he should have been "rested" from the Test match team until he got his form back, (as happened with Strauss a couple of years ago) but he should never have been made to feel he was too old to recover his form and therefore be forced to retire. To drop him the T20 captaincy was equally ridiculous. Katich's case is possibly worse as his form has been fine - as Stuart Clark rightly said, in any other job, to be sacked because of his age would lead to an unfair dismissal in court...
DaGame on June 10, 2011, 16:11 GMT
If there is antonym for Midas touch then its Greg Chappell.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 15:52 GMT
just wondering are selectors full time in other countries? It is interesting that Greg Chappell is the only one full time, he has never done anything to enhance player development when captain,coach or selector. When he was captain he had a very good squad from Ian Chappell he was also part of the core of a good team the others Rod Marsh an Dennis Lillee they backed him to the hilt.As a coach he was NOT successful in any team from South Australia,India an now Australia is it just me or can you see a pattern here.Now Jamie Cox has his foot in with South Australia as well as selector of Australia it is impossible to hold down three jobs Aussie selector,South Australian development thingy an his own personal employment.No wonder David Boon jumped before he was pushed,Hilditch will go before year's out
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 15:49 GMT
GREG CHAPPELL... the first person to be removed from the system is this fellow. As long as he stays, Australian cricket will continue to be coming up with such nonsense. He's a proven destroyer with India who had thrown him out immediately and today its No 1 Side in world and World Champions. What are credentials of Steve Smith and Cameron White for that matter ? On what basis Ponting is in the team ? Katich has been the most consistent batsman along side Watson. Its the Greg Chappell effect and it destroys..
shahid on June 10, 2011, 15:44 GMT
I find a touch of pakistan cricket in this. Australian selectors want a transition to younger generation and wanted to do it one spot at a time, so choice was to go after Katich, Hussy or ponting. They felt it easier to start by Katich as it could hve backfired to drop ponting or Hussy at this time. Otherwise a very bad decision as Katich on current form is the best of the 3 oldies.Australia are destined to go further down in rankings now.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 15:39 GMT
Go and tell them Katta! The selectors lost the ashes last time and it they keep it up they'll do it agin...
Anckit on June 10, 2011, 15:32 GMT
I am not a big fan of Australia, yet I feel bad for this guy. Its really no way to treat someone who has worked hard and showed results for so long.
vinay on June 10, 2011, 15:32 GMT
Initially, i used to ignore all the talk about Greg being a bad manager/coach/selector. But after this i cannot disagree. India have recovered quite emphatically from Gregs shockers. I am not sure how Australia are going to recover. If you are playing well, dont drop them. Katich is the best player for Australia at the moment and dropping him is a shocker. Think about how you are going to fare against Sri lankan spinners in August not swing bowlers in 2013
Srivatsan on June 10, 2011, 15:26 GMT
Poor Katich, while he did not do great last Ashes he was not bad either. The problem (bigger problem) is No.3,4,5. The only reason England won Ashes and are seriously the better side is the same. Add up the runs scored by Ponting, Clarke during Ashes you will know. Opening partnership is important but 8 out of 10 Ashes innings these 2 were able to get Oz to 50-70.Should your middle order implode there is nothing you can do.
The best part is, one of the poorest scorer of summer is the skipper. Whether it will make him better or not is a separate question. I thought the criteria for captaincy is how many runs you make/how you lead from the front??.
Rajeev on June 10, 2011, 15:23 GMT
The decision to drop Katich has Greg Chappel's name written all over it. He just about ruined Sourav Ganguly's career and affected Virender Sehwag and others negatively during his disastrous stint with the Indian team.
Sriram on June 10, 2011, 15:20 GMT
I kind u/stand what the brohaahaa is about? Players past 35-36 are past their expiry dates whether they like it or not. I totally support Warne in there being more cuts. Just calling the selectors clowns is not going to make Langer or anyone else younger. Ponting next.
Binoj on June 10, 2011, 14:43 GMT
I don't understand why Katich is making such big deal. He played only first 2 tests of last concluded Ashes series and was dropped for the last 3 tests. That clearly shows that he was already going out of contention.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 14:34 GMT
Dropping katich is ridiculous... he has been the most consistent batsman last year. he should have been given a place in the side after his recovery from injury. Considering the fact that Steve Smith is Playing at no 6, You can say Aussie selection is hilarious indeed.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 14:28 GMT
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 14:26 GMT
Senior players need to be treated with more respect. The treatment of Katich is shameful. He did not breach anything, so that excuse cannot be used. He is not "old". He has been one of the best in the past two or so years. Let them go gracefully in appreciation for services. Gayle, not being selected by West Indies is spiteful and Jayasuriya not selected for the last World Cup by Sri Lanka was classless and puerile. Jaya is back, Gayle will be back and Australia will rue the deciidion to drop Katich so unceremoniously.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 14:24 GMT
This is just...refreshing. Katich and Clark are two of my most respected cricketing figures for their astute judgement and the way they have (and continue to) play the game. Their comments carry a lot of weight and it would be nice if they could engender some real change at CA!!
Chris on June 10, 2011, 14:23 GMT
If they wanted to build a new opening pair, why not move Katto or Watto down the order? Then they'd still around if needed. The real is the selectors rightly had to get rid of one of the old guys, but Ponting wouldn't go gracefully, and nor Hussey. Sadly for Katto, with the injury putting him out of last summer, he was the easy target.
Hector on June 10, 2011, 14:22 GMT
Right....okay....Selectors do NOT need to be full time. They just need to have brains to spot talent, communicate, be consistent and keep a watchful eye on talent around the country. Many of us bloggers over the last year put up better and more rational selections than Hilditch and Co. Yes, we disagree on some selections but there is a general consensus when you get past our state bias. Virtually everyone agrees with O'Keefe as the spinning option and most of us want Paine and Wade keeping/batting. We all agree Hodge was ripped ....... Why isn't Copeland getting a run?? McDonald?? What the hell did he do wrong?? What on earth are we doing with half tracker Krejza being in the squad?? Come on...you don't need to be full time to understand or see this as a massive selection blunder....That one alone should lead CA to come out with my favourite words: HILDITCH.......YOUR'E FIRED! Oh, yes Katich is absolutely 200% ...NO....10,000% right!!!!! Come on Cricket Australia ....SACK 'EM..PLEASE!
Rohit on June 10, 2011, 14:18 GMT
Where there is Chappell there is always this kinda mood in the cricket fraternity of the country. History repeated? Besides, Katich being dropped is like dropping the anchor at the top of the order. The same happened to Steve Waugh, to Mathew Hayden and to many others I feel. Let the stalwarts decide when they want to leave. Hail BCCI to have let Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and the likes fade away from the game in a dignified manner.
Mark on June 10, 2011, 14:16 GMT
Katich should be captain... he'd have done better than tantrumhead Ricky and silent Michael Clarke. Any captain in Clarke's position would have told the selectors "Sack Katich over my dead body" but did he? Weak Clarke weak.
Sanjay on June 10, 2011, 14:08 GMT
I wish Kim Hughes had spoken out like this, he was treated appallingly. Now, Hughes was 10 times the batsman compared to Simple Simon. Dour batting has sub-consciously counted against Katich. He's now done the dirty work for the more glamorous players who also had grievances. I do agree that he went all out for his team, I rem in the Ashes he was asked to bowl when he'd already damaged his achilles. During his 2nd inns bat, it was clear that he couldn't run, the hobbling indicated that whatever injury he had was only going to be aggravated. He also batted at his regular position. He gave his all. Who knows? He might still make a comeback because Phil Hughes looks unconvincing. And since they're both NSW teamates, I bet they'll get on. NOT.
Brenton on June 10, 2011, 14:04 GMT
When is this review going to be finished? These selectors are shockers, they have been for years. Remember leaving a spinner out of the last test of the 2009 Ashes? It literally cost us the series.
Prashant on June 10, 2011, 13:59 GMT
Hmm I agree with what Katich said. Except that he can't say he deserves more than 4 minutes on the phone to deliver the news coz he's played for 12 years. It's sad to note an Australian player saying something like that. A few years ago, everyone looked up at the Australian system and how efficient it was. No player, however important and long he's played, can escape being dropped if he doesn't perform well. That said, it's ridiculous to drop Katich. He's an awesome opening batsmen, and an even better fielder. Maybe Michael Clarke needs to be dropped?
Magesh on June 10, 2011, 13:59 GMT
In the past 3 years, Katich had played better cricket than Ricky Ponting who is of his same age. Katich was outstanding and he is such a remarkable performer. The reason he slammed Australia Cricket Board seems to be the right way to handle the part time selectors. When he is fit enough for all forms of a cricket, how can he be sacked to end his career?
ken on June 10, 2011, 13:39 GMT
Chris Gail and Chanderpaul must be smiling to know that they are not the only ones with this sort of greviance towards their board. It is always easy to say go for youth but most of the time it boils down to wishful thinking and we end up destroying good young tallent from early exposure... Only in sports are the experience brilliant, proven, dedicated and successful employee gets sack because a young tallant arrives. Never mind him taking the next 10 years to arrive at the position of his predesessor and by then the omnipotent selectors will be seeking out his replacement with another... Just look at Chris Gail's replacement in Curk Edwards... Some great find he is. Good luck Simon and watch out for the almighty hammer from the gods that be.
suneet on June 10, 2011, 13:39 GMT
beautiful,just love it.greg chappel wants to build a good team for the future but not with a balance.dropping katich is the biggest mistake.marcus north is useless,warner inconsistent and khwaja is good at no.3.if there was anyone to be dropped it was ponting and clarke.both these players are arrogant and are woefully out of form.ponting is 37 and katich 36.selectors drop katich on basis of age and what about ponting and hussey
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 13:32 GMT
@ patrick clarke I'm not sure about Bill Lawry, but Kim Hughes should absolutely have been dropped after his meltdown in that press conference. There is no place in cricket for weak minded men. Katich's case is similar to Steve Waugh. he's been playing well and consistently, but still dropped because of "age" factor. This is utter stupidity. If same criteria was to be applied to other cricket teams, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Kallis should be dropped right away. Jayasuriya is smashing boundaries and sixes, Warnie is taking wickets in T20 at the of "42". Katich is "35" years old. How could cricketer's age overcome his performance ? By the way, when young "talent" like "Michael Clarke", " Marcus North" failing to live up to their "potential" aussies need Katich to steady their batting department, otherwise they're going down to 5th position in rankings.
giovaughn on June 10, 2011, 13:31 GMT
This is the big difference between cricket in Australia & Cricket in the West Indies . This is why i dont see them plummeting the the bottom of the barrell of world cricket like we did. people who see a problem , speak out about it & with the support of the public solutions are brought about. over here when a player tries to speak out about a situation they get maligned. not just by the member of the board ect but by the public & the fans as well. they instantly claim all manner of assumptions without ever stopping to think that ' hmm maybe he has got a point there, how do we address that problem?'
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 13:29 GMT
You obviously can see that there's no cricketing reason for his axing. He along with Watson have served Australia well in a period where Australia have really struggled. No.5 in ICC ratings show you the picture. Infact,if anyone needed to be axed,then firstly and foremost it should have been Ricky Ponting who has done absolutely nothing in the past 1-2 year but then Ricky is a big name and Katich despite peforming always goes unnoticed because he doesn't look elegant when he's batting,but cricket is about performance and doing your job rather than how talented you are and how you look when you bat. Katich has been treated as bad as anyone could be. I'm glad Katich came out which I expected from him because I have seen enough cricket and there's absolutely no doubt he's been a very good opener for Australia. Hundreds in India,WI,Eng! WHat more do you want!
Anurag on June 10, 2011, 13:23 GMT
too much of board nd players issues are happning now a days recent one is katich vs acb, we alredy witnessd the unexpctd slctn of jaysurya by scb yestrday. afridi is fed of pcb nd gayle vs wicb is still to be resolved...... nt gud 4 wrld cricket. hope dis ends now
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 13:22 GMT
I agree Shane, what a splendid appraisal of the state of Australian cricket by Simon Katich. How eloquent he was. It is in my humble opinion he would have made a tremendous captain of the national team. The most inventive tactical mind available to selectors since Mark Taylor. Yes, he has been professional in his dealings with Michael Clarke since their incident but it is very hard not to suspect egos at play. So, Phillip Hughes, time to step up. Lets hope the selectors haven't squeezed the unbridled exhilaration out of your game. And to Simon Katich, may you score a zillion runs this coming season and show the narrow minded twits that age has not wearied your blade.
Brian on June 10, 2011, 13:21 GMT
I can only imagine that Simon has decided to blow up his bridges given that former captains Border, Taylor and Waugh are on the review panel and all (similarly) faced the blow torch at the end of their careers. It will be hard to dismiss the Kat's claims based on their own personal experiences - and it will be interesting to see if CA has 'the balls' to release the final review report in full.
Nagesh on June 10, 2011, 13:18 GMT
I support Warne's view on this. If Katich has to go, then its time for Mike Hussey and Ponting's to go.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 13:11 GMT
No the selectors dont need to be on full time, they all need to be gone, they are wasting talent and choosing poor players. They don't manage spinners well and are not picking the best batsman, they are picking the best looking or most popular batsman. Also they rate ben hilfenhaus too highly, he should not be in the 25 contracted, should not be in any aus side and shud be back for tasmania, and trent copeland should be playing for australia and steve O'keefe
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 13:11 GMT
Well done Katich.. A fitting response to the Australian Selectors. Its now for the ABC take cognizance of this and dump the Chairman Andrew Hilditch for the betterment of Australian cricket.
Simon on June 10, 2011, 13:08 GMT
Can someone explain how Pat Cummins (who I think one day will be a good bowler for Aust) with 1st class bowling av of 46 in 3 games & 11 overs, 0/63 in 2 List A is more deserving of a contract than Kat? Kat made 96 & 8 in his last first class game in March. Is this not good enough? He may have made only 97 in 4 bats in the Ashes, but in1 he was run out without facingl, and did make 1 half century. Hughes made 97 in his 6 bats. In 7 Tests prior to the Ashes, Kat scored 2 hundreds & 4 other scores of 79 or more. Is this not good enough? In only 4 of his last 14 Tests has he not made a 50! (And even in 2 of those he scored 43). And why does an opening partnership need 2 years to "bed down" before the 2013 Ashes? Are Hilditch & Co saying Hughes & Watson are going to be the openers in 2013 regardless? Are Tests against SL & SA not important enough to pick your best current team? Why do several readers think Kat's axing is down to Greg Chappell? Surely he has only 1 vote out of 4?
Rishi on June 10, 2011, 13:07 GMT
The decline of Australia's cricket is in full swing now. Compare this to what went on with West Indies cricket from the early 90's to what is going on now. The parallels are there for everyone to see. So let's hail the next number 8 or 9 team in test ranking!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 12:38 GMT
Absolutely good on you, Katich! I must say, as an England fan, I took some sadistic satisfaction in hearing about him being dropped as it means more woe for Australia, but as a cricket supporter, I found it absolutely abhorrent. Where does the "dropping old players" thing end? Is it going to get a point where they're dropping players after 5 years of representing their teams nationally, then bringing in a whole new team, or what? Whatever happened to "experience" in a team? You can't just have a totally new team and expect them to do well - they won't. The experienced players aren't just there to hog the place of new talent, they're there to teach the younger players and SPEED UP their ascent into a young and powerful side. Just look at what Collie brought to the England side in recent times! I firmly believe Ponting is a poor role model for this young side, and Haddin's a bit...meh. Australia just dropped both their best role model for the young uns and their best proper opener.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 12:33 GMT
This is typical story of every other cricketer............. Not every one is luck to get their one final farewell MATCH!!!!
kedar on June 10, 2011, 12:31 GMT
In this case I recommend the use of URDS... please use the review system to check this decision by Australian board without human adulteration of course..
sudheer on June 10, 2011, 12:23 GMT
simon should earn a call back from CA.At present he is one of the consistent batsmen in the team line up and team suffers his loss for sure..Greg Chapell made India suffer in the past and now he's doing the same for australia..i think he is behind these mind blowing decisions
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 12:08 GMT
As an Englishman, I find it amusing that CA seem to just be focused on getting a squad ready for the next Ashes series- surely they should be focusing on getting the best squad for each series they play, especially as they've dropped down the rankings quite a bit? Consistent selection has helped the England cricket team get better over the years, while since Warne retired we've watched the Aussies chop and change their Test spinner constantly.
Peter on June 10, 2011, 12:03 GMT
We Poms stood back and watched, aghast, at the Aussie selectors' antics during the Ashes - starting with that fiasco of the original 17. Reminded us of our past selectors! Although a new generation of players is clearly necessary, a complete clear-out on grounds of age doesn't always work, even though it did - eventually - under the Simpson/Border regime. Yes, throw in promising youngsters but they will need a few wise heads around to enable the team to develop confidently. Transition through evolution is more likely to be successful eventually. Not much wrong with the opening pair, it's elsewhere surgery is needed. Even if Katich hadn't made the 2013 Ashes, his presence - on merit - for a year or so would have steadied the youngsters coming in. To fixate on the Ashes instead of steady development of the squad is probably a mistake. Gradually build a team & the Ashes will take care of themselves. A solid, honest Aussie who played through pain for his country has been insulted.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 12:01 GMT
Well said Kat-man, measured, sensible, passionate with the right amount of humour, you will be missed
Mark on June 10, 2011, 12:00 GMT
It's all about marketing. Kat is pigeon-holed as a Test player, not that marketable. Brett Lee is roughly the same age, past his best as a fast bowler, but still playing ODIs and T20, and very marketable. CA needs marketable players to try and bring in the bucks that are currently not there. In support of Kat, the pressure is now on Watson. With Kat there, Watto could play his own game, safe in the knowledge that he had a rock at the other end. Without Kat, there is no such security. Lastly, if you have one fulltime selector and 3 parttimers, surely the fulltimer should be Chairman? How do I apply to be a selector?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 11:57 GMT
All his comments made me think, what a champion. When the establishment runs to crap, someone is needed to shake things up a bit.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 11:52 GMT
It's disgusting really how they've treated Katich. There definitely has to be a well-rounded mix of both raw talent and experience and Katich brings both, along with Hussey and Ponting.
I agree with everything he has to say against Cricket Australia who seem to have issues with particular players and hence, is the reason why they don't get picked.
Media and the public have speculated but Katich has simply confirmed what we've all known for a long time now: the Australian selectors are inconsistent and proud. Nothing more and nothing less.
Remember: the treatment of Australian spinners post-Shane Warne, and David Hussey averaging 55+ in first-class cricket: still yet to play a Test Match.
Why? It'll perhaps remain a mystery.
Rohan on June 10, 2011, 11:50 GMT
In terms of world cricket Australia is still a strong cricketing nation, however, I just think that test teams around the world will breahte easier seeing a watson-warner/ hughes australian opening partnership, rahter than a watson - katich partnership....heck even club teams would rather that.....lol
Wes on June 10, 2011, 11:46 GMT
As disappointed as Katich would be, I bet in the morning he will regret his outburst. Katich has been a very good batsman, but when he got injured last summer, I thought his time might be up. Spare a thought for players like Dean Jones, Michael Slater and especially Brad Hodge, who all had, in my opinion more ability than Katich, but suffered more at the hands of unfair selection decisions over the years.
Mejo on June 10, 2011, 11:43 GMT
Am wondering.. with so many people voicing thier support for Katich, is there any way for him to come into the side legally? Can CA review thier decision or is it curtains for him?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 11:38 GMT
If any one was going to be sacked for their age it should have been one that was the least consistent over the last 2 years, and the only player that pops up is Ponting. Katich didn't deserve this. This is just inconsitent, visionless selection that has seen so many spinners discarded recently, the damage caused to players confidence as a result is at most times irreparable, and even if they get their confidence back, they have a stigma of a being dropped before that may not get them another chance... They need to be held accountable for their mess!
Samuel on June 10, 2011, 11:37 GMT
Ha ha ha, this is hilarious! Katich raises some interesting points but, more importantly, it shows the Aussies are incapable of dealing with the pressure of being a mediocre side. Let's not forget that Katich lost every Ashes series he played in and was, frankly, useless against the top sides.
Chatty on June 10, 2011, 11:35 GMT
Should selectors be full time? I am not sure whether they have enough work to do full time as selectors. I think they should be part time. But of course, there has to be a system of accountability and there is no managerial reason why part timers cannot be held accountable. It is done in all kinds of businesses. This is not a problem limited to Australia and clearly, selectors should pay for their mistakes, no doubt.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 11:34 GMT
Maybe Katich could be the aussie no1 spinner!?!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 11:19 GMT
I'm not defending the decision to drop Katich - I've seen several good innings from him, particularly when he played for Hampshire, and also for Australia and NSW, but Australian cricket has been here before many times; eg the sacking of Bill Lawry in 1971 and Kim Hughes in 1985. Those decisions may not have been right either but Australian cricket soon returned strongly to the top of the tree. If the players are there, it will happen again.
Rajesh on June 10, 2011, 11:18 GMT
Stupid decision. Watson and Katich play solid and can accelerate as well, oneof the best opening partnerships in world cricket
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 11:13 GMT
finally someody with balls to take on the most egoistic cricket board.Bless katich way to go !!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 10:50 GMT
Ya i completely agree with devmanus.. this is completely surprising.. A star performer for his team is axed just because of his age.. well i think CA has got to review its selection committee if they want to perform better in international level.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 10:50 GMT
Very poor decision to omit Katich the player who fought back after a very disastrous Ashss series in England and consistently performed and the last match he played with his injury against England stands tall and testimony to his grit and commitment to his team.If Greg Chappel is behind this decision, it only confirms that he is yet to learn after the fiasco he faced in India !!
Muhammad on June 10, 2011, 10:27 GMT
this guy was playing on one leg last summer for crying out loud. if people keep getting treatment like this CA will have no leg to stand on soon
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 10:25 GMT
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 10:19 GMT
Okay, I don't think it's a bad idea to be progressive - sure, you need to move ahead. Hence, CA were thinking correctly about the cuts, but seriously ... cutting your best batsman? Not very smart. Surely, you want to improve players like Khwaja, Hughes, etc. If they have cut down their best player, they might as well get rid of the other oldies who are doing half the work.
Daniel on June 10, 2011, 10:16 GMT
The whole contract system is stupid. It forces the selectors to think of something other than picking the best team for the next series. And you end up with situations like this. If you were picking a team just for the next series then absolutely Katich would be in it. So, what's the solution, how about as soon as you are picked for any Australian Team you get an automatic 6 month contract, which includes a top up to your pay rate if you are on a State contract. Simple.
Shane on June 10, 2011, 10:12 GMT
This is the best, most thought out response of a player who has been dropped - ever. It was clinical how he dissected all the inept parts of the management of cricket in Australia today. I sincerely hope the review into Australian Cricket results in a clean out of selectors, makes the new ones full-time and accountable and most importantly rids Australian Cricket of the most inept sporting administrator in the country - James Sutherland. Remember everyone he is meant to be running the show. However as he apparently has sat in on the meetings as part of the review I am not confident this will come about. Seriously where is the transparency in this process. Will the Kat's statements make a difference - I can only hope so. Great performance from a man on a burning platform - don't worry about burning your bridges when you can blow them up!! Tremendous stuff
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 10:10 GMT
Katich has been the backbone of the Aussie batting since the last 3-4 years. Not the most elegant of batsman but somebody who plays with a lot of guts, spit and fire. You need players like this in any Test team. Take the case of Dravid and Laxman in the Indian side. One can understand the decision of the selectors if a player is over 35 & struggling to hold his place. Its really hard on Katich & one can only sympathize with him. Thanks Simon for all the good gutsy stuff you gave us.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 9:53 GMT
Chappell will surely destroy australian cricket! On field brashness may appear "likeable" but definitely not when in a responsible position.
C P on June 10, 2011, 9:44 GMT
WHY MY COMMENTS ARE NOT PUBLISHED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ME FOR OVER FIVE TIMES. Check my comment which was not published and see if it contains something which was supposed to be MODERATED. My comment was as follows : Hey! What the boards all over the world are doing? Back to Katich . . . At least recall - Sachin Tendulkar smashed the first Double Century ever in ODIs after the current age of Katich. There are many other players who had contributed greatly to their national teams after the arguable "OLD AGE", players should be selected on the basis of form and not the age. What the selectors are trying to prove with this?
Nishith on June 10, 2011, 9:44 GMT
I see greg chapels name in there.. Reminds me of his term with india
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 9:36 GMT
Real sad day for Australian cricket.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 9:33 GMT
the incongruity of $2 million-earning players being judged by part-time selectors on $40,000 a year .... "when you talk about money you get the best in the business for paying. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys". Above lines sums up all...
Virendra on June 10, 2011, 9:21 GMT
Disturbing.. The grind the opposition to dust players aka Dravid, Katich, Kirsten, Atherton, Chanderpaul.. are all very much under appreciated.. Disgusting to cancel his contract..
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 9:18 GMT
Considering what Simon Katich has done with NSW, it is surprising that he is not the captain of Australia.
James on June 10, 2011, 9:13 GMT
To axe someone purely because of their age....is dumb.
Following this line of thinking, some of McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist, Langer, Hayden etc should have been axed because they were....well....old. Katich is one of Australia's better-performed batsmen over recent times and they are getting rid of him because he's OLD?
Dumb, Australia. So dumb.
Ross on June 10, 2011, 9:12 GMT
Looking from the outside it seems obvious what the problem is here. For the past decade or more they haven't really had to select a side because it picked itself. The art (and it is an art) of selection has been lost and replaced by a culture of self-satisfied complacency by the board. The Windies era of dominance was followed by a slump they have yet to recover from, and although I doubt things will get as bad for Aus it seems clear their decline isn't over yet. Change has to start at the top because the lack of competence there is obvious. Katich is right about the 17 man squad sheepishly standing there in the rain - as an England fan you just sensed the Aussies were there for the beating, and as for the ongoing spinner debacle... In England we suffered from rubbish selection policies for years, but they have been quietly excellent over recent times. Maximise the talent available, nurture the next generation and sack the marketing gurus!
kedar on June 10, 2011, 9:10 GMT
...and we thought Australian cricket people are the best in the world for administration..now you cant blame BCCI / IPL for that...but probably learn from them how to create a bunch of good players...
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 9:03 GMT
I can't understand why CA is trying to replace Katich,he is such a good and sound opener that there remains no need to change him.Katich nd Watson's opening partnership has always been successful.They both have coordinated well.This is just foolish decision frm CA.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 9:02 GMT
Greg Chappel, with his young player theory is set to destroy Australian Cricket...sad sad age has come upon us...btw talking about young players, why is Ricky Pointing still there?...he is not even in that good of a form, whereas Katich is?...Katich is right, there are different rules for different people and thats just ridiculous...:(
Rauf on June 10, 2011, 9:01 GMT
I thought this kind of stuff only happened in PCB.
Hassan on June 10, 2011, 9:00 GMT
this is not the way to treat a great player like KATICH!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:58 GMT
Greg Chappel, with his young player theory is set to destroy Australian Cricket...sad sad age has come upon us...btw talking about young players, why is Ricky Pointing still there?...he is not even in that good of a form, whereas Katich is?...Katich is right, there are different rules for different people and thats just ridiculous...:(
Bob on June 10, 2011, 8:57 GMT
Why is a successful batsman dropped when failed selectors retain their positions. Is it any wonder Oz are now 5th in the test rankings.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:54 GMT
hahaha....and who is common here...Greg Chappell....First he destroyed Indian cricket - Sehwag,Bhajji and Ifan and we got knocked out early in 2007. Now he comes back to haunt Australian Cricket :P.
safwan on June 10, 2011, 8:53 GMT
cricket boards around the world need a good shake up. yes, their should be no compromises on discipline. But, if players like katich will be bullied, then its an absolute shame. Australian cricket is in a bit of shambles thesedays, i wonder if they can afford to treat a player of his caliber in such a shabby manner.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:48 GMT
This could be as bad a people forcefully retiring Sachin, Dravid and Laxman! professionalism is good in sport but it should not be brutally enforced as has happened in this case. One can never gauge one's hunger for the game and no selector has the right to decide on a player's expiry date. Performance should be the only gauge. its these double standards that have dealt the Australian set up heavily. People who make the decisions are just not connected to the game itself. For them the performances really do not matter but the age unfortunately does. It builds up unnecessary pressure on the players, which can at times prove detrimental. For the Oz cricket to shore up from this trough, the above mentioned attitude needs to be looked into seriously. Denying a central contract to one of your best batmen just because of his age is absurd. Had it been the case, Badrinath would have been coaching by now. At least the Indians have their idols who are untouchables unlike the Ozzie greats.
Deon on June 10, 2011, 8:45 GMT
The selectors made the right decision. In 2013 Katich will be 38 years old. Only very special players like Tendulkar, Murali and Warne can continue to perform at the highest level when they get to this age. Katich is not in their class. It is time for CA to hand over responsibility to Hughes (or Warner or Kawaja) and give them time to settle. Only be doing this can Aus rebuild and compete.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:37 GMT
Hats off to the man for speaking out against this bunch of jokers who've been ridiculing the game over the past many years. Australia's by far the worst when it comes to treating their cricketers.. they have jokers like Greg Chappel deciding the carriers of brilliant players.. Hopefully this changes something.. atleast they'll know that players wont shut up and take their nonsense all the time.
Justin on June 10, 2011, 8:37 GMT
Wow - great response from the fans to support Katich! Dont think ive read any suppor for our selectors in all this feedback. The selectors have really dug themselves a hole by doing this. Katich has won over the spectators by performing and scoring runs with the bat - thats all we ever expect and want from an opener. He has done his job and done it well over the last few years. The selectors have not - they have left a lot of cricketing fans asking questions and getting angry about how they are going about their business and especially about the lack of accountability they have.
Adam on June 10, 2011, 8:35 GMT
haha brilliant. Australian cricket seems to be a bit of shambles now. Keep it up selectors!
chan on June 10, 2011, 8:28 GMT
Isn't there anyone speaking about the presence of the well know 'team destroyer' Greg Chappel in the system!! Smells!!!
C P on June 10, 2011, 8:26 GMT
Hey! What the boards all over the world are doing? Back to Katich . . . At least recall - Sachin Tendulkar smashed the first Double Century ever in ODIs after the current age of Katich. There are many other players who had contributed greatly to their national teams after the arguable "OLD AGE", players should be selected on the basis of form and not the age. What the selectors are trying to prove with this?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:26 GMT
I think CA has lost the plot somewhere in their arrogance. Ashes loss had a lot to do with selectors and less with the team on the ground. I think the selection of Beer was underlines the stupidity that looked more like work of PCB than CA. They selected Beer as being a local, "a horse for the course" and other similar cliches. They didn't even know that he moved there only one season ago and played only 3 games on that ground. And then as a "trick" .. they didn't play him in that test but included in next one. So you have a rookie who was first wrongly picked as a local and then not played in his "local" venue but at another venue. In the end Beer took 1 for a 100+. That sums up two lost opportunities to win tests and one screwed up career and the finger should be pointed at the selectors.
They put in a Beer for local conditions and then they didn't play him and they played him
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:23 GMT
The other thing to consider here is the foolishness of the selectors to stick with Marcus North for so long. Had they dumped much earlier and replaced him with Khawaja, there would have been less onus on them to make whole scale changes at the end of the Ashes to appease the masses. Which isn't to say changes are not the right way to go. New blood is no doubt needed. But they've gone about it all the wrong way and wildly cut short one of the few older players who did deserve another contract.
V.L on June 10, 2011, 8:18 GMT
I have a feeling that if hidditch persists after the review, we may as well see the Aussies competing for the no.7 spot with the likes of WI and Bangladesh. Really sad to see such a gracious batsman being dumped this way.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:18 GMT
Fair play to him, this is good news for England, Katich is class!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:13 GMT
What's the story here? Is Katich really complaining about the structure of cricket administration in Australia, or is he just disappointed he didn't get picked...Katich averaged 24.25 in the Ashes. Hard to say that his sacking has no explanation.
Balaji on June 10, 2011, 8:12 GMT
Greg Chappell is at it again! Now at Australia; nice going by him. He does know how to rile the team, doesnt he?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 8:10 GMT
Thing is, there's space in the 25 to pick on both potential and performance. It's not as if that many players are performing well in Australian cricket. The most sensible thing to do really, would have been to dump Ponting. It wouldn't be the kindest of fates for one of Australia's greats, but he's not been up to scratch for quite some time whilst Kat has been one of our best.
I do wonder if "picking based on potential" was targeted in a backhanded manner at Ponting as much as it was at Hughes, to be honest. Apparently the selectors feel the chances of Ponting returning to some glorious vein of form are much better than Kat continuing his steady contribution alongside Watson.
I've made this comment sound quite anti-Ponting, but I've been a fan of him since my childhood. Truth is though he lacks guile as a captain and I can't help but suspect that some of the poor selection decisions have been partly his fault- due to his influence.
Paul on June 10, 2011, 8:05 GMT
Epic interview there... He has a point & a very strong case with everything he has said.. as a Pom i could never understand how CA stopped selecting Stuart Clark who would push to be in any national team, and i was relieved that he never made an appearance during the ashes series. I would swap him any day for Stuart Broad.... I hope Katich gets back into CA plans, if not come any play county cricket for Lancashire during your winter break. We could do with a quality overseas player, actually we could do with your services this season.
Jeremy on June 10, 2011, 8:04 GMT
Wow! Go Katich! We're all behind ya mate!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 7:55 GMT
If he takes it up with CA they will justify by saying that they had to let go IAN HEALY to make way for GILCHRIST,of course they succeeded finding a replacement as good as GILCHRIST.....what they don't realize is that stuff like that happens only once..
Mick on June 10, 2011, 7:50 GMT
Its possibly correct to wish to bring in another strong opener. If so, Katich should bat at No. 3 as the best batsman in the side. Ponting should drop down the order to maybe No. 5 He is not currently in good enough form to hold down No. 3. Clarke is not really in good enough test form to be even in the team. Katich was greatly under utilised as a part time spinner too. He had better returns than both North and Clarke who were being used as spinners.
Samik on June 10, 2011, 7:38 GMT
What an astounding yet dignified response! I already liked his determined performances, now I have even more respect for Katich the human being. A true champion and Ponting could perhaps learn something from him rather than towing the lines of CA and trying to save his own back.
Hulk on June 10, 2011, 7:34 GMT
Hard to find replacement for batsman like Katish. CA is making fool of themselves here.
PATRICK on June 10, 2011, 7:33 GMT
I wish he was of West Indian parentage like Brendan Nash. We'd easily have Katich and forget about inconsistent Gayle.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 7:28 GMT
i don't think that australia have any opening pair better than katich and watson after langer and hydo then why they are taking these kind of ridiculous decision over katich and don't tell them that they are thinking over tim panney or david warner over katich this is something really not desirable one
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 7:21 GMT
As an Australian supporter....I hope something good comes out of this. If they are to become the force of old..they need to address all these issues. And to Katich...I can understand where he is coming from...
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 7:18 GMT
whts going on here??? players fighting against cricket board. Gayle thn Chanderpaul thn Afridi n now proudly presents Katich
Basil on June 10, 2011, 7:17 GMT
Funny thing is I wouldve had Katich as our new captain until someone else was ready and Ponting and Clarke out of the team. Having said that I wouldve also had Hauritz play in the Ashes with OKeefe next in line. I also would not have had Smith in the team nevermind batting at 6. I wouldnt pick spinners with first-class averages of 50. I would also pick players on form rather than potential. But then again, I and millions of others obviously no nothing about cricket.
Merv on June 10, 2011, 7:09 GMT
Well said. Pick players on form not age. He is our best opener and why are these failed selectors still there after the Ashes debacle?
Mejo on June 10, 2011, 7:08 GMT
Man.. I just love the sight of Katich shuffling across and unfurling that majestic cover drive.. Will never see that in test creicket again.
D on June 10, 2011, 7:00 GMT
Haha. Awesome comments from Katich. From this Canadian's perspective, often bemused by the Australian attitude to tow the line, even when they've been stabbed in the back, I applaud Katich's candor in speaking out. Hopefully, Katich gets his job back and the system behind the selectors gets reviewed.
rick on June 10, 2011, 6:54 GMT
Yet another bizarre decision by the Australian selectors, dumping our most consistent batsman of recent years.
Grant on June 10, 2011, 6:53 GMT
There is a lesson here for all cricketers- think before you speak and people will pay more attention. I hope KP pays some attention, but that may be too much to hope for.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 6:51 GMT
And that, my friends, is a real man, and a real cricketer. They should have made him Captain. Instead, they toss him out. What an absolute farce.
Ryo on June 10, 2011, 6:43 GMT
We're living in the age of the cricketer taking on his national board. Everyone is at it, WI, Pak, SL and now Aussie cricketers. And long may it continue. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!!!
J Ranjith on June 10, 2011, 6:41 GMT
dsig3, Brooklyn Bridge in NYC was planned & built by a chief engineer who was paralyzed for most of the construction for 11 years or so. He heard the news from assistant engineers, saw the construction from a window, instructed people on future plans and built one of the marvelous bridges in America. No kidding that a 65-year old engineer cannot do a construction. Even the Indian cricket team is right now coached by 62-year old Duncan Fletcher. Katich is only 35, has been averaging 50+ in test cricket even since his comeback. What else does Australia need in the crisis hour? Kick him out and laugh at that scene?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 6:41 GMT
I totally agree. Some of the selection decisions from recent seasons have been mystifying and there appears to be no accountability. They need to start selecting based on form and results rather than existential potential. How can David Hussey average over 55 and have never played a Test? How can you contract a fast bowler who's played 3 first games at an average of over 45, yet not one who's taken 80 wickets in two seasons at a 21 average in Copeland? How can you select 2 spinners who both average 47 while O'Keefe averages 24 and doesn't have a contract? They're looking for a spinner while Katich averages 36 in first class and 30 in Test bowling, aside from 53 first class batting average. Selectors need to take responsibility in choosing the best available based on performance rather than betting all on potential. Develop the next generation, yet do so gradually without dumping those that are performing now.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 6:32 GMT
I don't think age is an issue........and what is the nonsense about breedind players in international cricket? It is not a playground for god's sake.....people should be ready when they step on to represent their country.....what is the use of an under-cooked rookie when you have brilliant veterans???.....Jayasuria has proved age is not a barrier and so has Sachin .....Feel sorry for Simon......Hope you have a great life ahead!!
John on June 10, 2011, 6:28 GMT
I feel really sorry for you Kato after working so hard to get back into the team and be dropped for something so stupid. I agree totally with what Kato has said, although I'm not sure it will get the desired result. This is where I'm really hoping the review makes the required changes or I will lose interest in following Aus cricket.
Karthik on June 10, 2011, 6:23 GMT
Well, it do feel a little sad for Simon, but i dont quite disagree with dropping him from the squad. CA needs a revamp right now and the opening slot is a good way to start. To be honest, katich isnt the greatest batsman australia has produced.he's had issues with his technnique and consistency all throughout. its only in the last few years that he has started scoring runs, all though never a match winner. So i dont mind dropping a Simon katich in search of the next Mathew Hayden !!!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 6:18 GMT
Katich is definitely one of the unsung heroes from Aussie cricket team. He always received lesser than what he deserved. Surely there isn't barely one such great fighter in the Aussie team. If not for the number and the grandness of the heroics, he definitely is a "Rahul Dravid" in the Australian team. Will really miss watching him.
Akash on June 10, 2011, 6:07 GMT
Katich should be there in the test squad since he has performed well in last couple of years.Australia requires a experienced opener in south Africa to tackle their new ball attack and katich is one of the experienced opener that Australia has.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 5:55 GMT
Good on you Simon Katich. He's pointed out exactly what has happened over the last few years & not taken a step back. Unfortunately for our test team, we've lost an opener who values his wicket and has averaged 50 since his return in 2007 & he'd be a far better captain than Clarke, especially with the team rebuilding & his ability to mentor young players. Unfortunately I see a dark period for Australian cricket ahead (hope I'm proved wrong) if Clarke is captain & Hilditch is making decisions.
django on June 10, 2011, 5:54 GMT
Agree with just about everything he said and its great that its finally been aired in the open. Everybody knows these issues but no-one will talk about them. The only thing I can say is that I dont think it is unfair to dismiss a player based on their age. If you are embarking on building a bridge for 4 years you are not going to hire a 65 year old project engineer who will retire in two.
bharath74 on June 10, 2011, 5:50 GMT
Katic, better player tham Micheal Clark. Aus have lost Symonds due to stupid reasons , they cannot afford to lose Katich who is such an excellent test batsman and a decent spinner.
Steve on June 10, 2011, 5:47 GMT
Good on you Katich for being honest.
Ryan on June 10, 2011, 5:47 GMT
Katich has been in the top 2 of Australia's best batsmen since 2007/2008. Basically they've told him he's too old which disgusts me. I'm glad I'm a Kiwi cause this Andrew Hilditch guy is running Aussie cricket into the ground. Ha.
Rajesh on June 10, 2011, 5:46 GMT
Bravo..MR Greg Chappal is agin on a mission...This time its is "DISTROY AUSTRALIAN CRICKET". Actually he has an agenda to destroy world cricket. He did his bit with Indian cricket team before being kicked on back side. But he surely ruined Gangully & made us look stupid in world cup of 2007.Now as talent manager and selector of Australia he on his mission again. If someone needs to be changed in Australian cricket..its Mr chappal.......SORRY for Simon.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 5:44 GMT
It's probably good that Katich came out like this. But I doubt we're going to get anything out of this real soon.
If marketing money is what CA has been after all this while, and looking at the money involved nowadays, nobody's going to give up all that so easily. What needs to be understood is the previous generation of players CA had, did so well on the field that it was easy to sell them off it. But it's not quite in sync now and it's hurting them.
Hope something happens soon.
Moha on June 10, 2011, 5:43 GMT
PAK, WI and SL cricket boards got another collaborator now (CA). I can't stop laughing the reason given by the CA to suck Katich. Well if AUS law allows him to challenge in a court I would do it.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 5:41 GMT
good on katich for speaking out. completely unfair on ya mate. i wish we had that kinda talent to just throw away in NZ
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 5:40 GMT
Aussie worst times ahead .. i don think they ever had even consistent 7 playing in all series in past 1 yr ..
Moha on June 10, 2011, 5:38 GMT
PAK, WI and SL cricket boards got another collaborator now (CA). I can't stop laughing the reason given by the CA to suck Katich. Well if AUS law allows him to challenge in a court I would do it.
sugumar on June 10, 2011, 5:36 GMT
there is ijaz butt to ruin a good pakistan cricket team, there is a national selection panel & especially andrew hilditch to ruin australian cricket, both these parties are doing a excellent job, if katich was sacked for being too old(36) then what about ponting he is 37, and he is not scoring runs as he was earlier, very good joke!
rustyryan on June 10, 2011, 5:35 GMT
Thank God they did not make Steven smith as the captain as a part of 2015 ashes series preparation.
Paul on June 10, 2011, 5:31 GMT
Kat called a spade a spade. Sad to see him out of the squad. Glad to see he is shaping up for an admin role to rep the players.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 5:25 GMT
something tells me that issues in Oz cricket arrived at the same time as Guru Greg ... good on ya mate ... stay put :D
Bryn on June 10, 2011, 5:19 GMT
i personally just increased my love and respect for simon katich. awesome stuff. him and clark and langer and bichel and hodge and boon should all be the fulltime selectors, one from each state. hilditch and his morons should be axed immediately and fined for all the grief they have caused.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 5:18 GMT
Come on guys...its time to move on... Usman Khawaja May ALLAH subhanavataala give him success and everything that starts has to end one day... bt i feel like Simon is shooting his own legs by reacting wierdly.. its time he has to think its time to move on... Good Luck Simon earn millions thru T20 Mate....
Yasir on June 10, 2011, 5:07 GMT
Feeling really bad for Katich... May be it is part of the "future plan" of the selectors...Although guys like Ponting and Clarke are inconsistent for quite sometime... However, I am glad at one side too... as for a change this controversy does not involve Pakistan... :-D
Richie on June 10, 2011, 5:07 GMT
If the boards are never going to learn you will have many more following Gayle and Malinga. And then dont whinge about 'Test cricket losing its glory' and 'T20 (IPL) killing cricket'.
Crick on June 10, 2011, 5:06 GMT
Katz of the bag!!! A good player with a questionable footwork
ravi on June 10, 2011, 4:41 GMT
Presently Katich is by far one of the two best opening batsmen in Australia. Axing Katich is the sign of the man and his association who do not have wisdom to bring back Australian Cricket to its glory days again. By simply chopping and changing things, one rarely finds the right answers. Australia cannt affoard flashy openers or openers who make opposition's job easier. Katich has his own style and has frustrated many good attacks as an openerand I strongly believe even if Katich wishes all the best to his replacement, the curse of his unjust axing is going to follow Australian Cricket for some time.
Siddhant on June 10, 2011, 4:41 GMT
Katich, CA gave you a raw deal mate. I think you should pack your bags and come play in IPL. You know you worth and so does India. We love you here. CA wants new legs and are thinking too far ahead, they can overlook anyone to fulfill their goals. You did good for yourself, made runs when the chips were down. But now they don't need you. In India, we respect ageing players as you know. And we allow them to blend with the younger generation so that they can pass on the baton. You can't play for India, but play in India and earn big bucks, respect and fame. The choice is yours mate!
John on June 10, 2011, 4:34 GMT
He's right about the inconsistency. Ponting should have been dropped as well.
Par on June 10, 2011, 4:10 GMT
And you believe or not, my initial comment came even before cricinfo had posted whole story and had no mention of Katich bringing up the spinners issue (story was coming with "more to follow") . Just shows if we can sit here and figure out that the one senior player who is considered so "important", "central" towards the teams plans cannot even decide on the main spinner, why wouldn't be Katich splitting his hair. Hussey has done enough to warrant his place but why oh why they need ponting. His batting powers have diminished and only because test standards have declined over these years he can still keep an avg of 39. Is it cause CA want him to teach Clarke whom to choose as spinner :o, or how to bark at a player who comes too close to him while taking a catch or to break a TV set in dressing room!! I can teach all these things to Clarke and CA can hire me at much lower price!! Well I feel sorry for katich and if as Indian am outraged, what Aussies could be thinking of this madness!!
shawn on June 10, 2011, 3:59 GMT
What is going on with these selectors? Katich is a fine player, I like his stance its sort of like Tigerpaul's. Guess Mr. Cricket is gonna have to be the regular opener or maybe Warner.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 3:52 GMT
Well said Katto, I feel so sorry for this bloke - he's done everything that the country could have possibly asked him for, yet he's been thrown to the trash heap. It just raises the question, if this many cricketers are having their heads hunted by the powers that be, who's doing the checks and balances on the administrators? Hilditch has pretty much said he's going to stay until he's forcibly removed - someone please tell me there's a way to do this?
Chris on June 10, 2011, 3:33 GMT
One of the few reliable players over the past few years, even when injured he gave his best. A really poor decision to dump him!!
Vikram on June 10, 2011, 3:24 GMT
So, who wants to count down how long it is going to take Andrew Hilditch to make a u-turn and ask/beg katich to join the team.
Andrew on June 10, 2011, 3:20 GMT
LOL! It's awesome to see a pro -sportsman actually speaking his mind! I would say that Hilditch is not on Katich's Xmas card list! Also - glad he mentioned the stupid 17-man pre-Ashes squad!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 3:20 GMT
As much as I would like both Ponting and Katich to stay, if it came down to one of them having to go it should have been Ponting. It's such a joke! I can see Katich have a stellar season. 1,500 runs...
Ralph on June 10, 2011, 3:18 GMT
Hope Katich forces the selectors to pick him for Australia again by piling up the runs for NSW ... if he consistently is making big scores they will have no choice.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:57 GMT
Excellent response!! Deserves to be in the test team.
Alexander on June 10, 2011, 2:50 GMT
Actually, he does make an excellent point. His opening partnership with Watson has probably been up there with the best in Test Cricket. During a time when not a single other feature of Australia's game could be considered in the same light.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:46 GMT
Katich, without doubt, is the best Aussie Test player of the past three years. Even in 2010, up until his last test that finished on Dec 7th, Katich was the top Aussie Test run scorer... yes, more than Clarke. More than Ponting... more than Watto and more than a 'rejuvenated' Mike Hussey. At a time when they could easily have made Katich Test Captain, they ditched him. Tell me this guy is not a better captain than both Clarke and Ponting.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:41 GMT
Why don't we axe Hilditch? Nobody wants him as chairman of selectors, his decisions have been inconsistant and indecisive and the players are obviously disillisioned with him and when they aren't happy or settled their performances suffer. The question is who watches the watchers?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:38 GMT
You cant compare Katich to Ponting...Ponting was always pressured by criticism on his leadership, but Katich should be in the team. The whole world knows Hughes weakness to short-balls and South African pitches with Steyn and Morkel shouldn't help his confidence. Phil Jaques or Shaun Marsh are better choices than Hughes but i guess the selectors are looking at the last time Hughes went to South Africa when he scored runs.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:35 GMT
really ridiculous selection cant understand y they r leaving their best players
Masud on June 10, 2011, 2:22 GMT
Actually, he is better than any player in Aussie test team..He is right..the only solid partnership OZ team made is opening stand...Go Katich go, show them V..
Joe on June 10, 2011, 2:17 GMT
absolute champion. I hope Andrew H gets fired immediately.
J Ranjith on June 10, 2011, 2:17 GMT
Ponting would lose his place soon and Katich would replace him at no.3, Let us see if Ponting "understands" the decision if that happens. But I do not think it is going to happen. Good thing would be that if he keeps on playing domestic cricket - IPL has so many Aussies coaches - they would easily catch him for next seasons as he would be free of International duty. Anyway, Australia does not need his service.
Rizwan on June 10, 2011, 2:17 GMT
That was needed, I'm really glad to hear Katich's response. This decision of CA makes no sense. I've read dozens of articles & blogs on this topic now, but I still can't figure out why they needed to axe their best batsman! @Dhanno, thanks for giving the stat, man.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:13 GMT
I agree with Kato there Aussie selectors are disgraceful !!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:05 GMT
What has to happen before Hilditch and Co are shown the door?
Vivek on June 10, 2011, 2:03 GMT
Simon, I can feel your anger and frustration. While Ponting and Hussey seem to enjoy the selectors confidence despite being part of the old brigade and totally out of form, you have been cut loose. Greg Chappell has this obsession with breeding a "young team for the future" which is what he tried to do with Indian before he was kicked out. He needs to realise that no matter how honest your intentions might be, you just cannot mess with in form and consistent batsmen. Is this a result of the so called review of the AUS-ENG series. Shocking!
Andrew on June 10, 2011, 2:03 GMT
No doubt he is talking about Hauritz when referring to the other players who got the short end of the stick.
Cricket Australia needs to realise that it takes time to grow and develop star players and the next Shane Warne / Glenn McGrath won't just come out of nowhere.
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 1:47 GMT
he plays better then ponting at the moment should be in the test team
Par on June 10, 2011, 1:44 GMT
Since Oct 2008 Ponting, Age 36 : Tests 33 Runs 2264 Avg 39.03 100's 4 Katich, Age 35 : Tests 30 Runs 2609 Avg 49.22 100's 9
And the senior player who Australia apparently very much need in this rebuilding period, has already lost back to back ashes and cannot decide on how to use a spinner after 15 years in International cricket. Why oh why Katich is pissed
Warrick on June 10, 2011, 1:39 GMT
Good on ya Kat! A champion response!
No featured comments at the moment.
Warrick on June 10, 2011, 1:39 GMT
Good on ya Kat! A champion response!
Par on June 10, 2011, 1:44 GMT
Since Oct 2008 Ponting, Age 36 : Tests 33 Runs 2264 Avg 39.03 100's 4 Katich, Age 35 : Tests 30 Runs 2609 Avg 49.22 100's 9
And the senior player who Australia apparently very much need in this rebuilding period, has already lost back to back ashes and cannot decide on how to use a spinner after 15 years in International cricket. Why oh why Katich is pissed
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 1:47 GMT
he plays better then ponting at the moment should be in the test team
Andrew on June 10, 2011, 2:03 GMT
No doubt he is talking about Hauritz when referring to the other players who got the short end of the stick.
Cricket Australia needs to realise that it takes time to grow and develop star players and the next Shane Warne / Glenn McGrath won't just come out of nowhere.
Vivek on June 10, 2011, 2:03 GMT
Simon, I can feel your anger and frustration. While Ponting and Hussey seem to enjoy the selectors confidence despite being part of the old brigade and totally out of form, you have been cut loose. Greg Chappell has this obsession with breeding a "young team for the future" which is what he tried to do with Indian before he was kicked out. He needs to realise that no matter how honest your intentions might be, you just cannot mess with in form and consistent batsmen. Is this a result of the so called review of the AUS-ENG series. Shocking!
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:05 GMT
What has to happen before Hilditch and Co are shown the door?
Dummy4 on June 10, 2011, 2:13 GMT
I agree with Kato there Aussie selectors are disgraceful !!
Rizwan on June 10, 2011, 2:17 GMT
That was needed, I'm really glad to hear Katich's response. This decision of CA makes no sense. I've read dozens of articles & blogs on this topic now, but I still can't figure out why they needed to axe their best batsman! @Dhanno, thanks for giving the stat, man.
J Ranjith on June 10, 2011, 2:17 GMT
Ponting would lose his place soon and Katich would replace him at no.3, Let us see if Ponting "understands" the decision if that happens. But I do not think it is going to happen. Good thing would be that if he keeps on playing domestic cricket - IPL has so many Aussies coaches - they would easily catch him for next seasons as he would be free of International duty. Anyway, Australia does not need his service.
Joe on June 10, 2011, 2:17 GMT
absolute champion. I hope Andrew H gets fired immediately.