Former Aussie players slam decision on Katich

Cricket Australia's move to exclude Simon Katich from its list of 25 contracted players did not go down well with former Aussie greats, with Michael Slater terming the decision ludicrous.

Former opener Slater said it's Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of the selection panel, who should be sacked, not Katich.

"He's got that guts, grit, determination; he is an old-fashioned cricketer. To me he sums up what Test cricket is all about. They have shown him no support whatever," Slater said.

"Statistically for the past three years he has been our best performer, then he gets injured and doesn't play for the rest of the summer.

"The new opening combination with the youngster (Phil Hughes) doesn't set the world alight and we lose the series," Slater added.