Could the unthinkable really happen?

Media reports in Australia are claiming that Simon Katich will be recalled for the Boxing Day Test against India.

This would be one of the most remarkable u-turns in the history of cricket for me.

Katich was harshly sacked after getting injured during the Ashes.

I'm not sure it is 'unthinkable', given their recent woes with Hughes looking like he has a fair few technical issues to work on away from the intensity of Test cricket.

I'd like to see Katich back, a solid performer, rarely gifts his wicket to the opposition and a very determined character.

It'd be a little surprising after it had appeared that Australia intended to move on to a new crop, but in tough times all future plans need to be reconsidered sometimes!

Thanks for letting us know.

Fists of Fury wrote:I'm not sure it is 'unthinkable', given their recent woes with Hughes looking like he has a fair few technical issues to work on away from the intensity of Test cricket.

I'd like to see Katich back, a solid performer, rarely gifts his wicket to the opposition and a very determined character.

It'd be a little surprising after it had appeared that Australia intended to move on to a new crop, but in tough times all future plans need to be reconsidered sometimes!

Thanks for letting us know.

Sorry my title isn't the best, I mean't unthinkable in the sense that the Kat was recently reprimanded for slagging off CA and Clarke. I wouldn't have thought Pup would ever want Katich back, but desperate times call for desperate measures!

Indeed, I do think that Katich would add a bit of grit to their batting, either way, so it might be a decent call to replace Hughes, who whilst clearly being a good player is also very volatile i.e. likely to snick one to Guptill at any time

Simon Katich back in, never in a month of Sundays. He was recently reprimanded by CA for his attack on Clarke. No selection panel should bring him back in from that, not with the ill feeling it would cause. It would undermine Clarke and cause much disharmony amongst the team.

Warner and Watson(if fit) will open imo, and if Watson is not fit, i am sure it will be anyone except Katich.

The word is that is was Clarke who extended the olive branch to Katich though, Skye. Whether this a change of conscience or reveals something deeper it is hard to say. To me this says 2 things:

1. Watson may not be fit enough to play in time for Boxing Day.
2. It's simply a cynical PA stunt from Clarke to try and gather more support for himself.

I suppose there is a 3rd one... we are in desperate deep 5hit and the offer is a genuine one but personally I'd prefer it if we chose someone a bit younger with a view to the next 3-5 years or so. Why not someone like Ed Cowan (who has been in good form too), Klinger or even Tom Cooper - if the Dutch will 'release' him....

BBL starts tonight - Pollard already out for the season; injured at training. The traffic is already building up outside for tonight's match at the SCG. Around 25-30,000 tonight (starts in an hour) and they're predicting 60,000 for the Stars-Thunder clash at the MCG.

The match at Manuka Oval ended in a draw. Sachin retired on 92*, VVS 50 odd*. They finished on 320/6 - about 80 runs behind the Pres XI total.

Linebreaker wrote:The word is that is was Clarke who extended the olive branch to Katich though, Skye. Whether this a change of conscience or reveals something deeper it is hard to say. To me this says 2 things:

1. Watson may not be fit enough to play in time for Boxing Day.
2. It's simply a cynical PA stunt from Clarke to try and gather more support for himself.

I suppose there is a 3rd one... we are in desperate deep 5hit and the offer is a genuine one but personally I'd prefer it if we chose someone a bit younger with a view to the next 3-5 years or so. Why not someone like Ed Cowan (who has been in good form too), Klinger or even Tom Cooper - if the Dutch will 'release' him....

BBL starts tonight - Pollard already out for the season; injured at training. The traffic is already building up outside for tonight's match at the SCG. Around 25-30,000 tonight (starts in an hour) and they're predicting 60,000 for the Stars-Thunder clash at the MCG.

The match at Manuka Oval ended in a draw. Sachin retired on 92*, VVS 50 odd*. They finished on 320/6 - about 80 runs behind the Pres XI total.

I did not realise about the olive branch Lb, I was trying to look for something about Katich in the Aus press, but found nothing. I still can't see it happening though. To me, it would send out all the wrong signals.

I have read that Watson should be fit to play as a batsman only, which he is keen to do, but if not I would leave Khawaja in the team and just replace Watson with Marsh as opener.

Watson ------------------------ Warner
Warner ----------------------- Marsh
Marsh ------------------------ Khawaja
Ponting ----------------------- Ponting
Clarke -----------OR---------- Clarke
Hussey ----------------------- Hussey
Haddin ----------------------- Haddin
Pattinson --------------------- Pattinson
Siddle ----------------------- Siddle
Harris ------------------------ Harris
Lyon ------------------------- Lyon

I highly doubt it will happen given their history, however if clarke has approcahed katich about returning then good man. it would take a lot for him to do that, and therefore if its true, then full credit to michael clarke.

IF KATICH COMES BACK THEN BRING BACK HAURTIZ

that will be all

Haddin leading Sydney to a T20 Big Bash win 70no from 55.

One could make the point that the main thing for Australia is to win a Test Match (and/or series) and if Watson were ruled out the rather fragile batting makes a Katich recall anything but absurd...

I don't think it will happen (Watson will probably play , and even if he didn't open the attraction of trying Cowan {if not after 3 centuries, when?} might outweigh the solid option) but it isn't impossible - a new selection panel , after all. And I think Clarke is genuine when he says he has no problem having him aboard. Though I doubt they'd go out to dinner after the game

They could give Callum ferguson a go at number 6.

Correction from my earlier post... only about 12,000 at the SCG tonight.

linebreaker, whats your opinon of Callum ferguson?

I really like his attitude, cf. It would be nice to see him get a slot in the side before too long.

i agree but no one ever seems to agree with me about ferguson.

Ed Cowan is surely making a big claim for a place in the Aus team for Boxing day. His fourth hundred on the trot in the longer format of the game, and his latest (today) coming against the touring Indian team and against the bowling of Khan, Ashwin etc.

He could open with Warner, and then Watson could bat down the order in place of Khawaja.

Yeah he's done all he can, anyway.

Not a good return for Zaheer, wicketless from 10 overs for 41 runs.

lol im suprised zaheer even lasted 10 overs. Were they all one over spells

Welcome back Mr Warne

Warne was smashed for two sixes by Australia opener David Warner, who struck 102 not out off 51 balls to lead Sydney Thunder to a six-wicket win.

Zac was definitely half-cooked bowling today. I have a feeling he will struggle to be fully fit for boxing day... but will they risk him?

Linebreaker wrote:Zac was definitely half-cooked bowling today. I have a feeling he will struggle to be fully fit for boxing day... but will they risk him?

Not Sure India have much choice. Their recent injuries and the need for their bowling icon will probably make him a shoe-in imo.

I saw Harsha Bogle's tweet today... he didn't seem too happy with the situation. Does Ishant also have some sort of niggle?

LB Ishant has been on crutches due to an ankle problem

zaheer will break down, he struggled through them 10 overs.

It's like your summer all over again with India's injury concerns. If we can't beat them now then we're totally useless.

I hope Mickey Arthur's batting camp helps... he's trying to get them back to basics and seems cool headed. It will be interesting to see the team selection. Watson didn't look so happy at the airport today but then again... who knows what the real story is?

shane watson never looks happy

Yeah, he has tickets on himself that's for sure.

The only time he looked happy was when he was over-reacting to taking a few wickets a few years ago. Everyone jumped on him and told him it was inappropriate behaviour to act like that... hence the nickname "Muppet".

He did manage a smirk or two on Inside Cricket a while ago... but even that looked awkward too.