Hampshire rally as Simon Katich hits unbeaten 180 off Yorkshire attack

Simon Katich rejoined Hampshire this past winter intent on repaying the county for the part they played in his development as an international cricketer. The start of his second spell had been relatively modest, so his unbeaten hundred on the ground upon which he made his Test debut 11 years ago, and against one of his four other former county employers, represents a satisfying initial dividend. A couple of three-figure partnerships with Sean Ervine and Michael Bates initially countered and then changed the momentum of the opening day after Yorkshire were asked to field. "I certainly feel I owe the club for the opportunities they gave me and it certainly helped me get back to playing Test cricket for Australia," said the 36-year-old. "There is no doubt my first year in 2003 got my game back in order. So it would be nice to give something back." Katich will resume on 180 on Thursday morning, his highest score for Hampshire, alongside the wicketkeeper Michael Bates, whose unbeaten 88 represents another personal high – a Championship best. However, things could have been markedly different; arriving at the crease at six for two, the Katich survived a heart-in-the-mouth moment as a Steve Patterson delivery struck him above the knee roll first ball. "When it hit me I felt that it was high but you just never know," he admitted. "Because I am always in line with the stumps it's dangerous when I get hit but from the length the ball came I didn't feel particularly guilty." There were other escapes too: on 46, when he only just cleared Patterson at mid-off; off Iain Wardlaw, on 114, when Ryan Sidebottom could not haul down a drive to mid-on; and finally when Adil Rashid floored a tough return chance. However, Patterson, Yorkshire's leading wicket-taker, acknowledged its quality when he said: "It was a superb innings because in the context they could have been 120 for six, and 200 all out. He anchored things and let others play around him." Yorkshire's attack should contain greater potency when Katich's compatriot Mitchell Starc has acclimatised – the left-arm pace bowler is familiarising himself with the Duke ball having spent the past few days flying around the globe to address visa issues – while Tim Bresnan could join it mid-match if deemed surplus to England's requirements at Lord's. Without that international duo they began promisingly to reduce Hampshire to 83 for four before lunch but managed only one more wicket in the final 70 overs on a rare good day for batting this season.