Simon Katich's surprise omission from the Cricket Australia's list of 25
contracted players has prompted outrage from his state with a senior New South
Wales official questioning the credibility of the selection process. 
"Simon Katich continues to be one of the best performed
batsmen in Australian first-class and one-day cricket and his sacking beggars
belief," New South Wales chief executive Dave Gilbert said in a
statement from the West Indies.
"With the retirements of Justin Langer and Damien
Martyn, his sacking is even more bewildering and seriously questions the
credibility of the selection process" Gilbert was quoted as saying by 'The
Australian' newspaper.
With Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath also retiring,
only Katich and veteran Queensland paceman Michael Kasprowicz had their
contracts discontinued. Young South Australian leg-spinner Cullen Bailey was
one of six new names on the list.
The others were West Australian batsmen Chris Rogers and Adam
Voges, exciting Tasmanian swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and all-rounders James
Hopes from Queensland and Cameron White from Victoria.
Jason Gillespie, 32, was retained as one of seven pace bowlers,
despite playing little international cricket since fading on the Ashes tour
almost two years ago.
With the retirement of McGrath, the experience of his former
Test new-ball partner is clearly considered an asset.
Bailey and young off-spinner Dan Cullen, who was lucky to retain
his contract after a poor season, are among four spinners in the squad.
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