Dumped Test opener Simon Katich said on Friday he plans to continue playing cricket for New South Wales after losing his Cricket Australia contract.
The 35-year-old opener was cut from Cricket Australia’s 25-man list of contracted players for the 2011-12 season on Tuesday, despite being one of Australia’s most consistent players leading up to last summer’s failed Ashes series against England.
The 56-Test veteran said, “He had not completely ruled out a return to international cricket and told a press conference in Sydney he wanted to continue playing for his state side out of respect for his teammates.” Katich slammed CA’s selection policy as inconsistent and ridiculous and said was “disappointed and frustrated” by its decision not to renew his contract.
The left-hander, who averages 45 in tests, was previously sacked by selectors only to fight back and regain his position in the Australian team. He became a mainstay of the Australian side but an Achilles tendon injury suffered during the second Adelaide test against England forced him to miss the remainder of the Ashes series, won 3-1 by England.