Thaindian News

Sydney, Oct 28 (IANS) Former Test opener Simon Katich says his infamous dressing-room spat with Michael Clarke in 2009 resulted in his axe from Cricket Australia’s contract list in June.

Katich and Clarke were reportedly involved in a scuffle during the Sydney Test against South Africa in January 2009, where he reportedly grabbed the new Test skipper by his throat in the dressing room.

Katich feels the altercation has hurt his chances of comeback though newly-appointed chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the “the book is closed on nobody” when asked about Katich earlier Friday.

“It’s pleasing to hear but I think you don’t have to be Einstein to figure out it’s not just the selectors that had a part in sending me on my way, so that’s one of those things,” Katich said when asked about Inverarity’s comment.

Asked who else played a part, Katich said: “To be brutally honest what happened in the dressing room here a few years ago probably didn’t help my cause.”

“Obviously the captain and coach are selectors, so just because he’s going to be chairman of selectors, or whatever role it is, I wouldn’t have thought that that’ll make too much difference,” he was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Katich said he had not spoken to Clarke about the incident.

Asked if he thought he would be part of the team while Clarke is still there, Katich said: “I wouldn’t have thought so, because that’s probably why I’m in this position in the first place.”

He said he hadn’t spoken to anyone from CA about the controversial press conference following his axing.

He said he didn’t feel the need to raise anything with either CA or Clarke.

“I’ve moved on from everything but just to think that no one’s been in touch since that happened, it’s pretty disrespectful,” Katich said.

“I think from my personal point of view, given that I’ve been contracted for 11 years and to not have any contact whatsoever, that’s pretty disappointing.”