Cricket Australia (CA) has been known for it's tough stance when it comes to awarding contracts. Seldom do they give in to emotions which selecting the best available eleven for a match (very unlike their Asian counterparts).
This policy probably helped them stay at the top of the heap for more than a decade. During that time cricket in and from Australia grew from strength to strength. Cricketers making debuts, well into their 30s was something unheard of. Mike Hussey and Stuart Clark being prime examples. While Hussey is still around, Clark did play his part in the 06-07 Ashes series and the 2007 World Cup win.
While it's quite okay to have used their strict and uncomprising method when things were going right, they seem to displayed the same nonchalance while handing out contracts a few days ago. While the usual suspects booked their places, it was quite surprising to see Simon Katich's name missing from the list.
A true cricket follower would agree that Simon Katich is a fighter, who has made his place with sheer hard work and dedication. His stance and strokes are unattractive to watch, but nevertheless are quite effective.
Holding him responsible for the Ashes defeat would not serve any purpose for CA that has very few experienced openers to counter the English, Indians or the South Africans for that matter.
As it is, the team is yet to recover from the loss of Langer, Hayden and Gilchrist in the batting department.
While Michael Clarke is being touted as Australia's future for the past 4-5 years, he's done precious little to warrant the attention he gets. Losing a workhorse like Katich would do more harm to Australian cricket, than good.
While it's commendable to say that the selectors are looking ahead to the future, one should not ignore the present, which clearly demands experience in the middle. Shane Watson and Simon Katich are Australia's best bets as openers for Test cricket and there's no doubt about that. Followed by Ponting and Hussey, they batting looks solid and dependable.
One can only hope that the selectors re-assess their judgement and take him back to the fold as Katich has a few more years to serve Australian cricket.
This policy probably helped them stay at the top of the heap for more than a decade. During that time cricket in and from Australia grew from strength to strength. Cricketers making debuts, well into their 30s was something unheard of. Mike Hussey and Stuart Clark being prime examples. While Hussey is still around, Clark did play his part in the 06-07 Ashes series and the 2007 World Cup win.
While it's quite okay to have used their strict and uncomprising method when things were going right, they seem to displayed the same nonchalance while handing out contracts a few days ago. While the usual suspects booked their places, it was quite surprising to see Simon Katich's name missing from the list.
A true cricket follower would agree that Simon Katich is a fighter, who has made his place with sheer hard work and dedication. His stance and strokes are unattractive to watch, but nevertheless are quite effective.
Holding him responsible for the Ashes defeat would not serve any purpose for CA that has very few experienced openers to counter the English, Indians or the South Africans for that matter.
As it is, the team is yet to recover from the loss of Langer, Hayden and Gilchrist in the batting department.
While Michael Clarke is being touted as Australia's future for the past 4-5 years, he's done precious little to warrant the attention he gets. Losing a workhorse like Katich would do more harm to Australian cricket, than good.
While it's commendable to say that the selectors are looking ahead to the future, one should not ignore the present, which clearly demands experience in the middle. Shane Watson and Simon Katich are Australia's best bets as openers for Test cricket and there's no doubt about that. Followed by Ponting and Hussey, they batting looks solid and dependable.
One can only hope that the selectors re-assess their judgement and take him back to the fold as Katich has a few more years to serve Australian cricket.
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