Published: Jul 20, 2013, 08:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 20, 2013, 08:23 PM (IST)
Simon Katich last played for Australia in 2010 © Getty Images
Sydney: Jul, 20 2013
Former Australian batsman Simon Katich, who was told that he would never get to play for his country again in 2010, hinted that he was ready for a comeback after claiming that he never retired from international cricket.
”I never retired from international cricket. I was told by [former chief selector, Andrew] Hilditch I was never going to be picked again for Australia in 2010 — although he did say the same thing to me in April 2007,” Katich said, as reported by Sydney Morning Herald.
After coming back into the side in 2008, Katich had scored 10 Test centuries, 17 fifties and nearly 3,000 runs at an average of over 50, until his last appearance in Tests in 2010.
When the left-handed batsman was ignored for selection, it was rumoured that captain Michael Clarke could be behind the decision after the duo had an altercation in 2008. However, in 2011, Katich came out and said that he did not believe Clarke was behind his ouster and not being offered a contract by Cricket Australia.
The 37-year-old has played nine matches for Lancashire this season and has amassed 874 runs. This includes three tons at an average of 72.83.
Amidst mediocre performances from Australia’s batsmen in the Lord’s Test, John Inverarity said that the players performing well in county cricket could be given a crack in the national side, adding to the speculation of Katich’s return to the side.
