Class of 2009 can retain Ashes: Katich by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	SM Katich
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 6th July 2009

 

Aussie opener Simon Katich is confident about Australia overcoming the retirements of several legends and retaining the Ashes.

 

The left-hander, one of the only four who played the lost 2005 Ashes series, alongside captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, is now one of the more experienced members of their line-up.

 

The opener has since the 2005 debacle transformed himself from an inexperienced middle order batsman to an impressive opener following the retirements of legendary figures like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.

 

Despite their inconsistent performances during their two warm-up matches, Katich is confident the 2009 vintage have the ability to retain the Ashes during the coming weeks.

 

"That's always the case with so many legends of Australian cricket retiring, but the exciting thing from our point of view is that we have a batch of youngsters that are really keen to make their own Ashes history.

 

"We've seen in the last six months that we have had a number of guys step up into their roles and have done very well for us - guys like Mitchell Johnson, Phil Hughes at the top of the order, Marcus North now and Peter Siddle.

 

"All these guys have come in and replaced the great players and are starting to make their own mark in Test cricket."