Cricket New South Wales today paid credit to the outstanding contribution of Simon Katich.
Photograph Courtesy of Philip Brown
Katich today announced that he would be retiring from all First Class cricket in Australia. He announced this decision today from England where he is playing County Cricket with Hampshire. Katich also announced that he is committed to play for the Perth Scorchers in the Champions League Twenty20 in October.
Katich had a superb career for New South Wales, joining the State in season 2002-03, and representing the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues for ten seasons.
After starting his career with Western Australia, Katich was tremendously successful as both a leader and batsman, for his adopted State.
Katich, represented the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues in 58 First Class matches, scoring 5309 runs at an average of 61.73, including 15 centuries. His high point came during the 2007-08 season, when he returned to State cricket after being dropped from the National side and scored an amazing 1506 runs in the Pura Cup that season. This broke the record for the most ever runs scored in the Sheffield Shield competition in a season. Included in this was a highest First Class score of 306, against Queensland, at the SCG.
Katich also played 56 List A Limited Overs matches for New South Wales, scoring 1846 runs at the superb average of 40.13.
However, it was in the Twenty20 format that Katich had one of his finest moments for the State, leading the side to victory in the inaugural Champions League tournament in India in 2009. Katich was instrumental in helping the side reach the tournament with excellent performances in the KFC Big Bash that season and led the side with distinction in the pressurised environment of India to help New South Wales take out the Tournament, and a first prize of US $ 2.5 million.
Katich also had a superb Australian career representing his country in 56 Test matches, where he scored 4188 runs at the average of 45.03, including 10 centuries.
In addition he played 45 One-Day International matches and 3 T20 Internationals for his country.
Katich also took valuable wickets with his left-arm wrist spin, including 21 Test wickets at an average of 30.23. This included a career-best 6-65 against Zimbabwe at the SCG in October, 2003.
Cricket New South Wales Chairman Dr Harry Harinath was effusive in his praise of a player admired by everyone in the New South Wales system: “Simon’s contribution to New South Wales cricket was quite simply outstanding. In his ten years with our State he brought a passion, dedication and commitment that was admired by everybody. Not only was he a superb batsman, with a State and International record to rival the best, but he was a brilliant leader who was respected by all that played with him. He will be a tremendous loss to the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues, both as a player and a man. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for everything that he has contributed to cricket within this State.”
- Cricket New South Wales Chief Executive David Gilbert is currently overseas
Simon Katich’s career by statistics
NSW Statistics
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100’s | 50’s | Wkt | Ave | 5W | |
| First Class |
58 |
95 |
9 |
5309 |
306 |
61.73 |
15 |
29 |
35 |
26.48 |
2 |
| List A |
56 |
50 |
4 |
1846 |
136* |
40.13 |
2 |
16 |
8 |
38.25 |
– |
| 20/20 |
23 |
19 |
3 |
436 |
53 |
27.25 |
0 |
1 |
– |
– |
–
|
Australian Statistics
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100’s | 50’s | Wkt | Ave | 5W | |
| Test |
56 |
95 |
6 |
4188 |
157 |
45.03 |
10 |
25 |
21 |
30.23 |
1 |
| ODIs |
45 |
42 |
5 |
1324 |
107* |
35.78 |
1 |
9 |
– |
– |
– |
| T20Is |
3 |
2 |
0 |
69 |
39 |
34.50 |
0 |
0 |
– |
– |
– |
