Blues well placed: Katich
January 26, 2008
NSW captain Simon Katich says the Blues are well-placed to push on to another big total when they resume Sunday on 4-213, still trailing Western Australia by 176 runs.
Katich, who has scored a remarkable 960 runs at an average of 120 in the Pura Cup this season, is unbeaten on 82.
The 23-Test batsman says his team's position for day three reminds him of the drawn SCG match against Queensland in October, when he smashed 306.
On that occasion Katich and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin shared a 334-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Haddin making 123 in a total of 8-601 declared.
Haddin, who is set for an international recall in the coming months following Adam Gilchrist's shock retirement announcement, was eight not out at stumps Saturday night.
Katich anchored the home side's innings and shared a 115-run partnership for the third wicket with Peter Forrest (46).
"We were in a pretty similar position against Queensland earlier in the season and then on the third day managed to get those runs," Katich said.
"It's a different wicket to that but knowing that he (Haddin) is at the crease and young Smithy (Steven Smith) has been in good form, and Beau Casson and Nicko (Matthew Nicholson) are both averaging 50 for the season, so we feel like we have still got a few batsmen to come who can push on and get some runs for us."
Katich said he felt the game was evenly poised.
"Both teams would be pretty content with positions. We are 170 runs behind and we've still got six wickets in hand," he said.
"And they probably feel like they've got the runs on the board and we're batting last.
"I'm assuming both teams want to play for six points because we are both in a position where we can push for six points.
"I still think there's plenty of time there to get a result."
Katich said the 1000-run milestone was not playing on his mind.
"It's just nice to be getting us into a good position. The game was wide open at two for 64 so it was nice to get a partnership with Peter and get us in a bit stronger position," he said.
Spinner Marcus North suffered the heartbreak of watching his rival skipper Katich being dropped at silly point in the final over of the day.
"It was almost like I was giving him (Liam Davis) catching practice. I don't know what was going through my brain," Katich said.
"I think I probably switched off an over too early. I couldn't have hit it any softer to him but thankfully it went down."
After going to lunch on no wicket for 10, the Blues lost openers Greg Mail (18) and Phillip Hughes in the middle session, both to the bowling of right-armer Ben Edmondson.
Dominic Thornely (5) fell cheaply at 4-192, 13 runs after the departure of Forrest.
Paceman Matthew Nicholson (3-69) took three wickets in Saturday's opening session as NSW bowled out Western Australia for 389 after the Warriors resumed on six for 312.
Luke Ronchi made 34 and North made a determined 32 in 120 minutes while Blues gloveman Haddin took four catches including an acrobatic dive down leg-side.
NSW quick Doug Bollinger took 5-78, making him the leading wicket-taker in the Pura Cup with 39.
Davis was leg before to Bollinger for 116, his maiden first-class century.
The Blues have 26 points and need an outright win to keep pace with Victoria (32) at the top of the Pura Cup table. Western Australia are third on 20 points.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23112431-23212,00.html
