Centurion Simon Katich says he owes it to Bob Simpson

Ton-up Katich says Simpson helped re-build his batting after disastrous 2005 Ashes

Centurion Simon Katich says he owes it to Bob Simpson

Ton-up Katich says Simpson helped re-build his batting after disastrous 2005 Ashes

Simon Katich paid tribute to Aussie great Bobby Simpson after his maiden Ashes century helped Australia frustrate England on the second day of the first Test at Sophia Gardens yesterday.

The Ashes-holders were 249 for one at stumps, still a deficit of 186, but with left-handed opener Katich 104 not out and Australia captain Ricky Ponting 100 not out.

189-run stand
Their second-wicket stand was currently worth 189 and for Katich his first hundred against England in seven Tests was especially sweet after he'd struggled against the reverse-swinging ball during Australia's 2005 Ashes series loss. The 33-year-old has had a stop-start Test career, due to the strength of Australia's batting since he made his debut in 2001 and his own lapses in form.

"I know last time around (2005) I wasn't playing very well," said Katich, who in that series appeared in four out of the five Tests as a No 6 and scored 248 runs at a modest average of 27.55.

"Coming into this series it was a huge series for me, you can't hide from the past, there's nowhere to hide in Test cricket."

Katich said working with Simpson, himself a former Australia opener, captain and coach, had made a huge difference to the fact he'd got back into the Test side 12 months ago.

Balance problem
"I had to work on my balance when I got dropped and I owe a huge amount to Bobby Simpson. He gave me the time of day when I did get dropped four years ago and was wondering if I could make it back. His help technically has turned me into a more confident player. I probably look the same but I do feel a bit more confident at the crease in being able to hit the ball straighter."

Earlier, England off-spinner Graeme Swann, who was convinced he had Katich out lbw for 56, starred with the bat by making an unbeaten 47 in a total of 435.

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