Bradman99 Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Patrick Cummins and Usman Khawaja earn central Cricket Australia contracts, Simon Katich misses out Simon Katich's Test career is effectively over after the 35-year-old opener was cut from Cricket Australia's 25-man list of contracted players for the 2011-12 season. Katich and Western Australia skipper Marcus North were the highest-profile players dumped after their indifferent summers, along with James Hopes, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Shaun Tait and Adam Voges. Cricket Australia Contacted Players * Doug Bollinger (NSW) * Michael Clarke (NSW) * Patrick Cummins (NSW) * Xavier Doherty (TAS) * Callum Ferguson (SA) * Brad Haddin (NSW) * Ryan Harris (QLD) * John Hastings (VIC) * Nathan Hauritz (NSW) * Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS) * Phillip Hughes (NSW) * David Hussey (VIC) * Michael Hussey (WA) * Mitchell Johnson (WA) * Usman Khawaja (NSW) * Jason Krejza (TAS) * Brett Lee (NSW) * Shaun Marsh (WA) * Tim Paine (TAS) * James Pattinson (VIC) * Ricky Ponting (TAS) * Peter Siddle (VIC) * Steven Smith (NSW) * Shane Watson (NSW) * Cameron White (VIC) Added to the list for the 2011-12 season are 18-year-old NSW paceman Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Jason Krejza, John Hastings, David Hussey, Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson. Katich had been one of Australia's most consistent players leading up to last summer's Ashes series. But a serious Achilles tendon injury suffered during the second Test against England signalled the end for the rock-solid opener, whose 56 Tests yielded 4188 runs at an average of 45.03. Mike Hussey's remarkable Ashes campaign was enough to save his skin, with the 36-year-old rewarded for his efforts with a new contract. "Simon has been a fantastic player for Australia and a key and successful member of the Test team in recent years," CA chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said. "However, amongst other matters, the NSP (national selection panel) felt it was the right time now to start blooding our next opening partnership in preparation for the Ashes two years from now. "The opening partnership is critical to the success of any team and takes time to develop the necessary experience at international level. "We feel it is important this change is made now as we prepare for the challenges ahead." Hilditch said he was excited by the inclusion of young quicks Cummins and Pattinson, as well as number of youthful batsmen. "James (Pattinson) has tasted international cricket and we see him as a young man of immense talent who is made of the right stuff to succeed at the higher level. Patrick Cummins is an exceptional talent who has impressed with his opportunities to date for New South Wales and it will be very exciting to watch his progress. "Two spinners are added to the contract list in Xavier Doherty and Jason Krezja. Jason has previously enjoyed success at Test level and recently was a member of our ICC Cricket World Cup squad. Xavier has been doing a very good job for Australia, particularly at one-day level and both are looking forward to the opportunity to play more international cricket. "The list also includes some of our best young batting talent with Shaun Marsh, Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja all receiving contracts. Usman receives his first full contract after debuting in the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG and we see him as a very important player for the future of Australian cricket." I'm quite dissapointed; Katich has been our most consistent performer in the past few years.
CoverDrive Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Poor Guy gets injured and he gets dropped. And when have uncapped players (cummins) started getting central contract?
hatja_tau Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 "However, amongst other matters, the NSP (national selection panel) felt it was the right time now to start blooding our next opening partnership in preparation for the Ashes two years from now." Do they only play for the Ashes? Fools..
gaurav92 Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Katich-Watson opening pair was pretty good. Aussie Cricket going downtown :headshake:
Sachinism Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Quite harsh, I must admit. From what I remember he usually performed, maybe I'll have to check his recent stats
Cricket Tragic Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 What is home bully doing in there if they're looking towards the future?
Raghav_12 Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 I am surpurised with this decision. I don't have numbers with me but my perception was Katich has been one of the very few consistent performers during Australia's downfall. Really harsh on Katich, when you have players Steven Smith or Cameron white getting cetral contracts. And Jason Kreza too. But I had heard that Greg Chappell is part of the team which runs cricket in australia, so I am not much surprised.
Bradman99 Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 The selectors have no idea. Yes guys, you are right that he is been one of our consistent performers.
Cricket Tragic Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Clarke becomes captain and Katich is dumped. Am I reading too much into things? :hmmm:
Sidhoni Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Its really disappointing, he had an awkward kind of a technique but still he ws one the most consistent performers for the Aussies.
Sachinism Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 So a few years ago Katich grabbed Clarke by the throat and wanted to give him a good bashing. Things get put aside, Katich scores runs Clarke becomes captain Katich is suddenly dropped :hmmm:
Bradman99 Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 Hmmmm they are both in the same state side though, so don't think there relationship could be that bad.. Does seem a little fishy though
Bradman99 Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 Also, the part where they say we are looking to the future.. Well Katich has been in much better form over the past few years then Ponting!
Sachinism Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 In the last 3 years he averages 50.94 with 7 hundreds, all over the world Don't know who in CA actually believes Australia are currently good enough to let a batsman who averages 50 in the last 3 years go
Bradman99 Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 In the last 3 years he averages 50.94 with 7 hundreds, all over the world Don't know who in CA actually believes Australia are currently good enough to let a batsman who averages 50 in the last 3 years go Completely agree with you. I was reading the article and underneath it all the comments.. I can assure you no Australian fan is happy. The selectors are on another planet..
achilles Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 This comment aptly describes the situation- Posted by camma91 on (June 07 2011, 10:44 AM GMT) i guess india will have to cut tendulkar, laxman and dravid then to follow precedent
Karan114 Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Katich's consistency across conditions was remarkable - prior to the India series last year, he averaged over 40 in every series since comeback, and that was in all sorts of conditions - WI, NZ, India (2008), SA and England. Bizarre decision to shove him out of the side, especially looking at how dreadful Phillip Hughes has been since that glorious start in SA.
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