Katich hopes to recover in time for fifth Ashes Test in Sydney

MELBOURNE - Australian opener Simon Katich is hopeful of recovering from an Achilles injury in time for the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in early January.

Katich hobbled through much of the fourth day of the Adelaide Test after partially tearing his Achilles tendon, an injury many suspected would be series ending.

But after enduring daily rehab sessions and regular physio, the 35-year-old is hopeful he’ll recover quicker than expected.

“I’m going really well. I’m doing everything I can to get it right as soon as possible. A lot of the pain’s gone, the swelling is gone and I’m able to do a lot more things than I was able to do a week and a half ago. So I’m really happy with the way I’m progressing,” The Herald Sun quoted him, as saying.

“It’s hard to say when I will come back but it’s tracking quicker than we thought it would at this stage. But I can’t give any definites until I start running and see how it pulls up after that and that may be in the not too distant future,” Katich said.

“So I don’t know if I’ll be ready in time for the Sydney Test. And then it’s a decision for the selectors and the ball’s out of my court in that respect.

“But I’m doing everything I can to get it right as soon as possible and there’s no doubt I’ll be back on the park in the new year it’s just a matter of when,” he added.

Katich said he watched the third Test closely on television and feels the demoralising defeat the Australians suffered in Adelaide, beaten by an innings and 71 runs, was what spurred the team on in Perth. (ANI)