Katich has described Cricket Australia's decision not to renew his contract for 2011-2012 as "absolutely ridiculous" and says its selection policy is "inconsistent".
Ponting says Katich is entitled to feel aggrieved with his axing from its list of 25 contracted players and has told Channel Nine his criticism is justified.
"To be omitted from the contract list was obviously a great shock to him. It was a shock to me, and his performances in the last two or three years has been as good as anybody's and almost as good as anybody's in the world," he said.
"So I'm surprised not to see him around, but it means a young guy gets a go and hopefully that guy can stand up and do the job for us."
"It's fair to say [Katich] didn't hold back in his press conference and rightly so as well," Ponting said on the AFL Footy Show last night.
Asked if he meant his comments to be a criticism of the selectors, Ponting added: "You can make of that whatever you like. I would have liked to have another old bloke around the group with me, yeah," Ponting said.
Ponting and Mike Hussey, both 36, have been retained and Ponting will play as a batsman only in the Test and one-day sides after giving up the captaincy.
Michael Clarke will lead Australia on a Test tour of Sri Lanka in August, with 22-year-old Phil Hughes tipped to win a recall at the top of the order to partner Shane Watson.
"It puts us 36-year-olds on notice now, Mike Hussey and myself. It's going to make us work that little bit harder," Ponting said.
- ABC/AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia First posted June 17, 2011 08:37:00
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