Katich century fuelled by memories of 2005

By John Mehaffey

CARDIFF (Reuters) - Australia opener Simon Katich battled to his first century in seven tests against England on Thursday with a steely resolve fuelled by the bitter disappointment of losing the Ashes four years ago.

Katich, 33, was dropped shortly after scoring only 248 runs at 27.55 in 2005 before reinventing himself as an opener in the West Indies last year.

On Thursday, Katich batted for almost 4-1/2 hours to score an unbeaten 104 and help his team to 249 for one in reply to England's 435 all out on the second day of the first test.

He shared an unbeaten second wicket partnership of 189 with captain Ricky Ponting who ended the day 100 not out, his 38th test hundred.

There was scarcely a memorable shot from Katich, apart from a flashing off-drive to the boundary, but his gritty innings helped swing the momentum back to Australia.

"Those of us who have been through what happened four years ago were hurt and you can't forget that hurt," Katich told a news conference.

"From that point of view there are a few of us who are keen to make amends for what happened on that tour. We were bitterly disappointed with how we played in that series."

Katich said he had been helped technically by Bobby Simpson, a tough Australian captain in the 1960s who, as a coach, helped Allan Border turn a team of under-achievers in the late 1980s into Ashes winners.