‘Comeback kids’ Katich, Bollinger likely to join Ashes squad

MELBOURNE - Australian opening batsman Simon Katich and fast bowler Doug Bollinger are likely to be named in the Ashes squad after proving their fitness in domestic circuit.

Katich had been sidelined with a thumb injury and Bollinger had been suffering an abdominal strain, but both have made successful comebacks just 12 days before the first Test against England starts at the Gabba on November 25.

Playing for Randwick-Petersham against Manly in Sydney Grade cricket, Katich scored a confident 94 with nine boundaries and two sixes in a 132-ball stay at the crease.

The 35-year-old now plans to turn out for New South Wales in Wednesday’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

“It’s a handy score. It’s good to spend time in the middle and score some runs. The hand feels good. I’ve been training down at the SCG the last few days and there’s been no problem batting,” the Age quoted Katich, as saying.

“There were no real surprises, I pulled up okay and I’ll be ready to go in next week’s Shield match. There was never any doubt that I was going to be right for that game,” he added.

On the other hand, Bollinger successfully completed two spells for Fairfield-Liverpool in their match against Northern District.

The 29-year-old finished with 1-30 from 10 overs in his first outing since October 5.(ANI)