"Katto" deserves his Test call-up

In the past, I have had many discussions with Englishmen about the so-called youth policy theory.

In essence, I often hear how Australia are willing to give young guys like Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and now Simon Katich, a crack at the big league.

This may be the case, but the underlying factor as to why these players are selected for Australia is that they have been absolutely outstanding performers in Shield cricket, or at the very least, in the cricket academy or youth programmes that they may have been involved in.

No-one is given a go in the Australian Test side unless they are believed to be one of the best 11 players currently available from the impressive stables of Australian cricket.

A player like Simon or Ricky may be young, but they are seasoned performers who have performed consistently, and more often than not brilliantly, in their preparation for the dream of playing for their country.

The fact that Simon Katich averages over 50 in four or five years of domestic cricket is saying something for his right to make his debut at Headingley on Thursday.

On the other scale, it must be hard for the English selectors to choose a young player who consistently averages over 40, let alone 50, in county cricket.

It is sad to see so many so-called talented young batsmen playing mediocre county cricket season in, season out.

David Fulton: Exceptional summer?

Sure, there is a player like David Fulton who every now and then has a prolific summer, but what has he been doing for the first five or six years of his career?

If he puts his hand up and has two or three big summers, then he can feel confident of his technique and temperament when he enters the Test arena.

Like Usman Afzaal, who plays his second Test this week, I wonder how confident he really is behind his image, when he knows that he hasn't really been a huge run-scorer over the years.

Yes, he may have scored more runs than a lot of other English players, but when we talk relatively, I would rather be in Simon Katich's shoes when he enters the Test arena.

Having scored so many runs, under pressure, and on a consistent basis, places him streets ahead over any of the young English players who may be considered for the next step.

A tough and uncompromising young man, Simon is pumped to have the opportunity to fill Steve Waugh's shoes for this Test.

Not one for showing too much emotion, the smile on the inside is more like a raucous belly laugh, as his dream to wear the baggy green is about to become reality.

Although we were both vying for that one cherished position in the batting line-up, I couldn't be more delighted to see him given an opportunity.

Obviously I am disappointed not to have been selected, but if I could wish for any other player to get the nod ahead of me, I believe it is "Katto" who deserves it.

From Leeds

JL