Fleas unleashes

I guess we all susprected this...



Katich says Clarke was behind his axing
Chris Barrett
October 29, 2011 - 12:00AM


TEST discard Simon Katich takes little solace in yesterday's appointment of a new national selection chief, sensationally accusing Australian captain Michael Clarke of being behind his axing.

Katich scored a match-saving century for NSW in their draw with Victoria at the SCG, then took a barely veiled shot at Clarke. The 36-year-old believes the famous incident in the SCG dressing room in 2009 - when Katich put his hand around Clarke's throat - is a principal reason for dumping from the national contract list. Clarke had wanted the team song sung early after Australia's match over South Africa so that he could have dinner with his then girlfriend Lara Bingle.

Katich last night took little comfort from the naming of John Inverarity as full-time national selector despite the West Australian saying the door was shut to no player.

Advertisement: Story continues below "It's pleasing to hear but I think you don't have to be Einstein to figure out that it's not just the selectors that had a part in sending me on my way," Katich said.

"I mean to be brutally honest obviously what happened in the dressing room here a few years ago didn't help my cause. And obviously the captain and coach are selectors. Just because he's going to be chairman of selectors or whatever role it is I wouldn't have thought that'd make too much difference.

Asked whether he had spoken to Clarke about the incident since he said "No". Queried further on whether he thought he could return to the Test line-up with Clarke as captain Katich replied: "I wouldn't have thought so. That's probably why I'm in this position in the first place."

The left-hander also took aim at selectors and officials for contacting him since he attacked them in a mid-year press conference following his stunning dumping from the national contract list. His attack came only a day after Victorian opener Chris Rogers made a similar criticism of selectors for not returning his calls.

"No one from Cricket Australia has been in contact with me since," Katicih said. "I just think that no one's been in touch since that happened, it's pretty disrespectful I think from my personal point of view given I've been contracted for 11 years, to not have any contact whatsoever that's pretty disappointing.

"As Chris Rogers said that' blatantly rude to be honest. It' just common courtesy to give someone a call back.

"I enjoy playing my cricket here, so that's why I'm still playing. A big part of that was I had a lot of support at the time when the axing happened so to have that support has spurred me on to keep playing.

"Hopefully some good will come out of my situation. I wasn't the only one to go through it, plenty of players have felt the same frustration."

The timing of Katich's ton yesterday was beautiful. As Inverarity was being unveiled in mid-afternoon he was putting the finishing touches on three figures for NSW.

He was on 99, in fact, when a phone conference call between Inverarity and cricket reporters around the country and after only a couple of questions brought up his ton.

The only shame about unfolding of events yesterday was the inevitable dimming of focus on the role played by Ben Rohrer in ensuring safety for the severely undermanned Blues. His excellent 114 in a 216-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Katich (110) secured the draw, although it still leaves NSW without a point in their opening two Sheffield Shield matches.

"We just played it as it came. Katto is an experienced campaigner and he just said to back yourself," Rohrer said.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/katich-says-clarke-was-behind-his-axing-20111028-1mo0w.html#ixzz1c3oPm3jv

Good on him for speaking his mind. Katich seems to be the last of the old breed of Aussie cricketer who values a hard approach on the field, but a beer and a chat off it, and has more interest in the performance of his team than how his hair looks and how many companies he's sponsored by.

Clarke is basically the anti-Katich and vice-versa.

Will be interesting to see if Clarke has the courage to return fire, or whether he'll hide behind his usual PR scripted babble.

Should we start looking for the next captain?

I'd be happy with a straight swap - Katich for Clarke

Big Dog wrote:Should we start looking for the next captain?

You have a captain?

Mr. bucket's comments have merit. Fleas ain't no pretty boy, and his record has been outstanding in the past 3-4 years, and clearly did not deserve to be jettisonned when he was. Still, like Simon, I don't think we should hold our collective breaths.

Well if Katich DID have any chance of being recalled, that chance has gone now with those comments.

Still, good on him for making them.

the selectors are a tight lipped bunch (of a-holes)

He probably knows he's gone so it sounds less like sour grapes now than in the book he'll publish post-career.

I see he is haunting the Australian team in their present match - near enough to Halloween

lardbucket wrote:I'd be happy with a straight swap - Katich for Clarke

One of my mates suggested that Clarke is actually keeping 2 batsmen out of the side at the moment.

Sook.

Katich will have to front a CA hearing over his comments.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/538384.html

I hope he gives Sutherland a serve while he's at it.

Katich for Prime Minister!

CA? they have 3 main weapons ...

And sanctimonious Clarke glibly speaks of how Katich's comments aren't helping him. Well what's he got to lose? He was never anointed as the next 'golden boy' of Aussie cricket. Clarke should be counting his lucky stars that his golden boy status preserved his test place during a time when he deserved to get the flick.

Henry wrote:Will be interesting to see if Clarke has the courage to return fire, or whether he'll hide behind his usual PR scripted babble.

Went running to teacher Clarke is a disgrace. AB must be turning over in his grave.

Clarke is a f*cking joke. You ruin a bloke's international career and then have the temerity to whinge about how the rightfully sore player's honest comments are not helping him. What a mincey little human being he is. I can't believe you chose such a weakling as Aussie captain... NOT what an Anglo has come expect... he's not even the 6 best Aussie batsmen out there.

Aye.

No great surprise he's such a qunt tho. He's had everything given to him on a plate...never had to work for anything in his life. Had a pissweak Shield record yet was always going to be picked in the Test XI. Was always our Captain in waiting even tho he rarely demonstrated leadership qualities.

He represents everything that's rotten in Australian cricket; style over substance, reputation over form, individual over team. He's your typical narcissus and I hate the prick.

Big Dog wrote:Katich will have to front a CA hearing over his comments.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/538384.html

I hope he gives Sutherland a serve while he's at it.

What a pile of crap. CA have farked his career, irrespective of his performance??? Fark them.

I am surprised Clarke didn't go with "it wasn't me, it was another thing that is skully's fault"

Sage.

Clarke. Least respected Australian captain since Yallop ... and maybe ever.

He's a better captain than his predecessor.

... tactically, maybe ... but far less respected