Sydney: Cricket Australia's move to exclude Simon Katich from its list of 25 contracted players did not go down well with former Aussie greats, with Michael Slater terming the decision ludicrous.
 Cricket Australia's move to exclude Simon Katich from its list of 25 contracted players did not go down well with former Aussie greats, with Michael Slater terming the decision ludicrous. © Getty Images |
"He's got that guts, grit, determination; he is an old-fashioned cricketer. To me he sums up what Test cricket is all about. They have shown him no support whatever," Slater said.
"Statistically for the past three years he has been our best performer, then he gets injured and doesn't play for the rest of the summer.
"The new opening combination with the youngster (Phil Hughes) doesn't set the world alight and we lose the series," Slater added.
Taking a potshot at the chief selector, Slater said, "The selectors are going down the worst line, the most dangerous line, and it has got to the point where Andrew Hilditch as chairman of selectors has to go. This is the final straw. It is a ludicrous decision."
The elegant Mark Waugh too, was shocked by the decision.
"Given his record it's got to be seen as a bit of a shock to everybody," Waugh said.
"I know he's 35, but who's to say he hasn't got a good 12 to 24 months left in him? It's a bit of a shock for sure.
"There are three guys over 35 in the top six; Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting and Katich. Obviously that's got a lot to do with it and the selectors don't want three players leaving at the same time," Waugh, who was dropped from the Australian squad at 37, said.
PTI
0 comments:
Post a Comment