Day Two - Monday 25 June

Simon Katich continued on with his sparkling form of Australian season 2000/2001, with a magnificent hundred at the beautiful Arundel Cricket Ground.

After a season here in England last summer with Durham CCC, 'Katt' enjoyed a fruitful season back in Australia before blasting the MCC attack in today's Ashes tour opener.

He was at his disciplined best throughout an innings dominated by boundaries through both sides of the ground.

A young man with enormous talent and equal quantities of work ethic and temperament, my younger Western Australian teammate has always looked destined for a rosy future.

It is often said an incident in a person's career can turn the course of his destiny and I would be surprised if this maiden century in the Australian colours doesn't do wonders for 'Katt's' confidence and desire for future success.

The look that says the 'Katt' got the cream

So uncomplicated in his approach to the game, yet a hard worker and steely competitor, it is refreshing to see a person who puts so much effort into his trade, earning the rewards.

Coming in at a tough period just before lunch, he and captain Steve Waugh, steadied a ship that had momentarily been rocked by Queensland workhorse Joe Dawes, who was given the new ball by MCC skipper Jimmy Adams.

In an opening spell spanning just under two hours, our Australian compatriot removed Michael Slater, Matty Hayden, Damien Martyn and yours truly throughout his courageous spell.

If it wasn't for the lion-hearted Joey Dawes, the scorecard may have read so differently, as he did all of the early damage.

Swinging the ball both ways, while still landing it on a good length, we were made to work extremely hard before lunch.

After the break the loss of the skipper was disappointing, but 'Katt' and Shane Warne went about destroying the tiring MCC attack with aggression normally reserved for the final overs of a one-day match.

Warney tried one big hit too many

The entertainment was magical as the ball disappeared to all parts of the ground that boasted an outfield as fast as a Ferrari's wheel speed.

With Warney predicting at lunch a maiden first class century, the interest grew in the player's viewing area as he approached the illustrious three figures.

Unfortunately for our star leg-spinner, a rush of blood saw him fall short of the ton, but even still, his contribution down the order is heartening coming into the Test series.

At the close of play on a perfect English summer's day, MCC had lost six wickets and we are in a strong position.

These lead up games are about gaining momentum and form, and if today is anything to go by, it has been a worthwhile workout for the team.

Tomorrow will provide another ideal opportunity for those batsmen, like me, who missed out today, to get back in the habit of making runs.

From Arundel,
JL