10 Simon Katich facts - Brilliance and Unfavorable Luck

10 Simon Katich facts – Brilliance and Unfavorable Luck: Simon Katich, former Aussie Test cricketer, had every unusual shot in his kitty that kept the audience enthralled. The left-handed batsman stood rock solid at the opener’s slot alongside Mathew Hayden or Justin Langer and contributed heavily to the Australian batting top the order. Just as every good thing comes to an end, Katich’s career came to halt when he was playing at his best.

Simon Katich made his debut in 2001 and played consistently for the Aussie squad for the next one decade. During this period he tasted several victories and defeats with his team. He scored 4188 Test runs with 10 centuries and 25 half centuries at an impressive average of 45 from the 56 Tests that he played. In 45 ODIs he scored 1324 runs with 1 ton and 9 fifties at a good average of around 36.

On Simon Katich’s 40^th birthday here are the 10 Simon Katich facts – Brilliance and Unfavorable Luck:

1. A Cricket Prodigy: Katich grabbed the scholarship of Australian Cricket Academy when he was 21-years-old. He justified the honor by amassing 1039 first-class runs in the Sheffield Shield tournament for Western Australia during 1996-97 season.

2. Arrival to Cricket: If chicken pox followed with an illness hadn’t invaded Simon Katich, he could have played his debut match long before he actually did. The cricketer had to fight severely with his illness for the next few months together. It was only during 2000-01 domestic season, the crafty batsman smashed 1282 first class runs that forced the selectors to consider him for the Ashes series of 2001.

3. Stunning Spin: Katich is known for his unorthodox batting, but his bowling spell against Zimbabwe in 2003, the second Test of his career was indeed a stunning one. The tall-batsman amazed everyone with his bowling, turning and spinning he finished the spell with 6/65 that helped Australia win the test without any trouble.

4. The Left-handed VVS Laxman: Former Aussie bowling spearhead Damien Fleming once remarked that Katich was a left-handed VVS Laxman – Indian legend, for his ability to use bottom hand and score too many runs on the leg-side too deftly.

5. Misfit for ODIs: Katich played his last one-dayer against West Indies, scoring just 25 off 66 balls with 1 boundary and a six at a meager strike-rate of 38 in DLF cup final of 2006 in Kuala Lampur. Kat never justified his place in ODIs because of his low strike rate. His career strike rate in ODIs is just around 68.

6. Clarke Vs Katich Controversy: Australian team was in elated mood following their victory against South Africa at Sydney test in 2008. Michael Clarke wanted the national anthem to be sung early so that players could depart, but Hussey and Katich advised him to be patient and wait. Clarke kept complaining about it and this incited Katich further. He immediately clutched Pup’s collar. Disgruntled vice captain left the Aussie dressing room without any wait. The controversy remained alive in the media for weeks and months together.

7. Selection controversy: Michael Clarke was appointed the new skipper of Australian team in 2010. By the mid 2011, injured Katich was axed from the squad to give more opportunities to youngsters. He never played any international Test again. Simon Katich often blamed the Sydney incident between him and Clarke for the reason of his ouster from the team. However, Michael Clarke never admitted to it saying Katich’s non-selection was the selectors’ decision.

8. The Master Chef: Katich is well-versed with cooking – the art that he learned from his mother Kerry. Crispy Salmon is his signature dish. Katich had made it to the semifinals of Celebrity MasterChef Australia but couldn’t qualify for the final.

9. Katich and Football: The 40-years-old has been promoted to Football Operations Manager at AFL club – Greater Western Sydney. The administration of the Club is highly satisfied with the managerial skills of the southpaw that he demonstrated over the last 1 year as a football official.

10. Selectors’ Big Blunder: It happens rarely in cricket when selectors repent over the decision that they already taken previously. In case of Katich, CA (Cricket Australia) admitted last year that it was a big mistake to keep Katich out of the team despite of his sublime form. Yes, when Katich was axed from the team four years back, he was in sublime form with an excellent average of around 50 up the order.