Katich impressed with Benn
Australian opener Simon Katich who registered his fourth Test century on the third day of the Third Digicel Test in Barbados gave credit to rookie left arm spinner Sulieman Benn for his perseverance on a day when the West Indies bowlers toiled and picked up only three wickets as the visitors piled on 295 runs."The left arm spinner bowled pretty well, he set some pretty good fields and he gets a bit of bounce," said Katich who went to bed on an unbeaten 148. The lanky 26 year old Benn is playing in his first Test on his home ground and the second in his career after making his debut in Guyana against Sri Lanka earlier in the season when he took three wickets in that game and showed potential with the bat lower down the order.
In the first innings here in Bridgetown Benn picked up the wicket of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (32) via the lbw route. And so far in the second innings he has accounted for Michael Hussey for 18 to have figures of 1 for 107 from 36 overs, five of which were maidens.
Katich also said that the Windies fast bowlers must be commended for their tireless work all series but that their batsmen did not always give them full support.
"The quicks stuck to their job as well, they stuck to it all series, if anything, they are pretty disappointed with them getting (216) yesterday," the left hander told journalist at the end of the third day of at the Kensington Oval with Australia comfortably in charge, on 330 for 3, an overall lead of 365 with two days remaining in the final Digicel Test of the three match series which Australia leads 1-0 after their victory in Jamaica and a draw in Antigua.
"Their bowlers have stuck at it reasonably well throughout the series and would have hoped for a few more runs," Katich reasoned.
Katich who is opening the Australian innings in place of the injured Mathew Hayden said that a bit of negative bowling by West Indies captain gave him confidence that they were comfortably in charge.
"There were periods (when Chris Gayle was bowling wide outside off stump) where you felt if you didn't take any risks, try and work ones and two, you feel you are on top and in control of the game," Katich revealed.
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