CARDIFF, (Reuters) – Australia opener Simon Katich battled to his first century in seven tests against England yesterday with a steely resolve fuelled by the bitter disappointment of losing the Ashes four years ago. Katich, 33, was dropped shortly after scoring only 248 runs at 27.55 in 2005 before reinventing himself as an opener in the West Indies last year.
Yesterday, Katich batted for almost 4-1/2 hours to score an unbeaten 104 and help his team to 249 for one in reply to England’s 435 all out on the second day of the first test.
He shared an unbeaten second wicket partnership of 189 with captain Ricky Ponting who ended the day 100 not out, his 38th test hundred.
There was scarcely a memorable shot from Katich, apart from a flashing off-drive to the boundary, but his gritty innings helped swing the momentum back to Australia.
“Those of us who have been through what happened four years ago were hurt and you can’t forget that hurt,” Katich told a news conference.
“From that point of view there are a few of us who are keen to make amends for what happened on that tour. We were bitterly disappointed with how we played in that series.”
Katich said he had been helped technically by Bobby Simpson, a tough Australian captain in the 1960s who, as a coach, helped Allan Border turn a team of under-achievers in the late 1980s into Ashes winners.
“I owe a huge amount to Bobby Simpson when I did get dropped four years ago and was wondering if I could make it back,” he said.
“His help and support has been enormous in getting me back to this stage so I’m always going to be grateful for that. His help technically has turned me into a more confident player.”
Katich made his debut in the 2001 Ashes series in England but has only now established himself in the side, scoring six centuries in his last 16 tests. “I probably look the same but I do feel a bit more confident at the crease in being able to hit the ball straighter,” he said.
“This series is a huge series for me. You can’t hide from the past, there’s nowhere to hide in test cricket
England can take consolation from a lead of 186 and the twists and turns the game has already provided in the first six sessions. However, apart from a hostile six-over spell from Andrew Flintoff, their bowlers did not threaten.
Graeme Swann, whose jaunty 47 not out in the morning session propelled England past the 400 mark, bowled five maidens in a row and had a confident lbw appeal against Katich turned down.
But he did not attempt to disguise England’s disappointment at the Australians’ close of play score.
“We didn’t put the ball in the right place often enough. We can whinge and moan about the ball going soft, the wicket being flat and Katich not being given out lbw off me but that’s the way of the game,” he said.
“It turned about as much as I expected. Everyone has been telling me it’s going to turn square but I’ve played here before and I know the odd ball turns but the majority don’t and you’ve got on because of that lack of pace.
“It’s not all doom and gloom by any means. All the bowlers are looking forward to getting rid of this ball, throwing it in the river, and getting a new one in their hands.”
