Katich keen to regain Oz Test spot

SYDNEY - New South Wales opener and captain Simon Katich’s hunger to wear the baggy green remains as strong as ever, as he starts his campaign today to convince national selectors he should not be a casualty in the rebuilding of Australia’s Test side.

The 35-year-old will make his comeback to state cricket ahead of schedule when he leads NSW in its do-or-die one-day cup match against Victoria at the MCG, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Katich was expected to be out for three to four months after injuring his Achilles tendon during the second Ashes Test in Adelaide in early December, but has responded well to an increased workload in the past fortnight.

His early return will give him three shield matches to show selectors why he should tip out Phillip Hughes at the top of the order for Australia’s next Test series, against Sri Lanka later this year.

“My last two or three years of Test cricket have been the best of my career,” said Katich, who has averaged 50.48 in 33 matches since his Test recall in the Caribbean in 2008.

He added: “I know I’m old, but at the same time I also think that I’ve got plenty to offer, and I’ve been out there and performed consistently.” (ANI)