Katich Sacking: Ponting Does U-Turn, Criticises Selectors

Only around a week ago, Ricky Ponting had reacted to the sacking of Simon Katich from the list of contracted players that the selectors had named with, I-am-surprised-but-I-understand-why kind of a response. He had acknowledged that Katich had been one of the more consistent players in the side for the last couple of years, but added that he understood why the selectors wanted to allow the next set of opening bat a run of three years in the national side.

After all the shenanigans, which were then associated with the sacking – Katich’s response and the ensuing support for the left-handed batsman, Ponting seems to have done a U-turn.

On the AFL Footy Show yesterday, Ponting empathised with the former Australian opener and almost stopped short of congratulating Katich for lambasting the selectors.

Picture this: “It's fair to say he (Katich) didn't hold back in his press conference and rightly so as well. To be omitted from the contract list was a great shock to him. It was a shock to me. I was surprised that he wasn't named.”

Now really Mr. Ponting? Which one is it? You can either understand the selectors’ decision or you can assist your former opening batsmen in publicly castigating them – but you certainly do not deserve to do both, do you?

On the other hand, former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne did not hold back, much like he never has when it has come to Ponting in recent times. He did pan the selectors for the Katich-axing but slipped in his wrong ‘un by saying that they had got the wrong guy – it should have been Ponting and not Katich, who should have been shown the door!

Warne did acknowledge that the selectors probably wanted to look at Ponting without the load of captaincy on his shoulders and would be hoping that he regained his former touch. Whether he does it, remains to be seen. Australia play Sri Lanka in an away series in August and it could be the one series where the picture could get clearer.