Cricket Australia reprimand Katich for comments

Former Test opener Simon Katich was reprimanded by a Cricket Australia disciplinary hearing Monday after pleading guilty to making a detrimental public comment. Katich, 36, was ordered to face a disciplinary hearing to explain his outspoken comments accusing Test captain Michael Clarke of playing a part in his axing from the Australian team, despite averaging 45 runs in his 56 Tests. Katich was controversially dropped from Cricket Australia's contract list in June and said he doubted he would play for his country again as long as Clarke was skipper. He traced his troubles to a 2009 dressing room confrontation with Clarke in which he reportedly grabbed the current Test skipper by the throat. "It was never my intention to go against Cricket Australia's code of conduct," Katich told reporters after Monday's hearing. "It's a nice result. I'm just glad this matter has been dealt with in a fair manner." There was no fine imposed on Katich by the disciplinary panel, chaired by retired judge Gordon Lewis. Cricket Australia said Katich was now free to play for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania starting in Canberra on Tuesday.