Katich in injury scare as hosts fail to fire

Mike Hussey, Shane Watson, Simon Katich and Ricky Pointing managed just 14 runs between them in the Sheffield Shield matches yesterday, a sequence that does little to suggest the form that saw Australia lose seven straight matches in all competitions earlier this year is behind them.

Marcus North was the top scorer with a measly 17 runs, while aside from the concerns over touch, there was also an injury scare for opener Katich who hurt his shoulder while fielding in New South Wales's match with Tasmania.

Katich, who made one in the first innings, did not open for the Blues in the second innings, despite scans clearing the veteran left-hander of any serious injury.

NSW team officials described it as a precautionary move with Katich pencilled in to bat at No 3 or No 4 when the match resumes today.

Australia physio Alex Kountouris was equally confident the 35-year-old will be fit to face England at Brisbane next Thursday.

"I expect he will be okay," said Kountouris, who will learn the full extent of Katich's injury this morning.

"He dived in the field and jarred up his shoulder. It was quite painful. It's always a worry but it doesn't look to be a serious injury. If he wakes up tomorrow and can't lift his arm it would be a worry but I'm not expecting that to happen."

Hussey was the worst of Australia's leading batsmen yesterday with an 18-ball duck. Watson (6) and captain Ponting (7) struggled in Sydney while wicketkeeper Brad Haddin hit 10.

There was a similarly poor showing by the younger batsmen in Australia's 17-man squad as Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja fell for 7 and 13, respectively in Hobart.

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