Hussey tips Katich ahead of brother David for India tour

MELBOURNE: Senior batsman Mike Hussey feels in-form Simon Katich should get the nod ahead of younger brother David to replace Andrew Symonds in the Australian Test squad for the India tour next month.
With Symonds unlikely to tour India this month after the fishing saga, the decision of who bats in the middle order will confront the selectors this week when they announce the squad.
Symonds' absence could open a spot for David as an attacking batsman at number five and six and part-time spinner, but Mike believed Katich should get the nod though his brother deserved consideration.
"Simon Katich played so well in the West Indies ... he'd probably be the number one pick at this stage of the guys who weren't in if Matthew Hayden came back in," Hussey was quoted by the ���The Australian��� newspaper.
Katich opened in the Caribbean with success in Hayden's absence because of an Achilles tendon problem, but would drop down the order if both men played in the first Test in Bangalore starting on October 9.
The progress of Hayden and captain Ricky Ponting, after wrist surgery, will be monitored this week.
The selectors will also have to address the choice of spinner, as candidates Beau Casson and Bryce McGain were injured playing for Australia 'A' in India last week.
Both are, however, hopeful of playing in a three-day game against India 'A', in Hyderabad starting on Tuesday. Australia departs for India on September 21 and play two warm-up matches before the first Test.