Hampshire Sign Simon Katich for the 2012 Season

Aussie Opener Joins as Overseas Player

Hampshire Cricket is delighted to announce that Australian opening batsman Simon Katich has joined the club for the 2012 season.

He has signed a one-year deal to play as Hampshire’s overseas player. It means a return to the county he represented between 2003 and 2005, winning the Hampshire Cricket Society Player of the Year award in 2003.

Katich said; “I'm really looking forward to going back to The Rose Bowl as I have many good friends and memories from my previous time at the club over a number of seasons from 2003-2005.  Hampshire have been great to my family and I during my career and I am looking forward to helping the club continue to have success.”

In his first spell with the club, Katich played 24 First Class matches, scoring nearly 2,000 runs at an average of more than 50. That included five centuries and a high-score of 143 not out. He also played 28 List A matches, scoring more than 1,000 runs at an average of more than 40. That included two centuries and a high score of 106.

Katich is also an Australia international who has played more than 100 matches across all formats for his country, scoring more than 5,500 runs. However, having not had his central contract renewed he is expected to be available all season.

Hampshire manager, Giles White said: "We're delighted with the signing of Simon. He comes back to us, having been with us before, because he's enjoyed his time here and we've really enjoyed it when he's played for us in the past. He's everything we need in an overseas player at this stage.

"He's a quality player, first and foremost. But he's a very good man as well and the lads respect him highly so he's a good bloke to have around the changing room. His availability's very good too so, with all that coupled together, we're very pleased."

Giles White talks about signing Simon Katich

The club would also like to announce that Jimmy Adams has been confirmed as the club’s captain for the 2012 season. Adams captained the side in the final few matches of the County Championship season as the team won three vital matches against Durham, Warwickshire and Somerset to take their survival challenge to the last game of the season.

Jimmy Adams reacts to taking the 2012 captaincy

Kolpak signings Johann Myburgh and Friedel de Wet as well as Academy product, Jamie Miller have also been released ahead of next season.

Simon Katich's Selected Career Stats:

Test

• 56 matches
• 4,188 runs at an average of 45.03
• High score of 157 scored against the West Indies in 2008
• 10 centuries and 25 half-centuries

One Day International

• 45 matches
• 1,324 runs at an average of 35.78
• High score of 107* scored against Sri Lanka in 2006
• One century and nine half-centuries

First Class

• 231 matches (24 for Hampshire)
• 18,608 runs at an average of 53.31 (1,923 at an average of 53.41 for Hampshire)
• High score of 306 (143* for Hampshire scored against Yorkshire in 2003)
• 51 centuries and 99 half-centuries (five centuries and 11 half centuries for Hampshire)

List A

• 219 matches (28 for Hampshire)
• 6,922 runs at an average of 37.01 (1,014 at an average of 53.41 for Hampshire)
• High score of 136* (106 for Hampshire scored against Somerset and Middlesex both in 2003)
• Seven centuries and 54 half-centuries (two centuries and 11 half centuries for Hampshire)

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