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Simon Mathew KATICH

"Kat" is a left-handed opening batsman and left-arm wrist spinner.

He has signed a one-year deal to play as Hampshire’s overseas player in 2012. 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.

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.

On his return he took on even greater responsibility, assuming the stand-in captaincy for a brief period towards the beginning of the 2012 season. He followed that by making his best score to date for the club - 196 - against another former club, Yorkshire at Headingley Carnegie.

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.

•  Click here for more information and statistics on Simon Katich.