Durban (S. Africa), Oct. 29 : Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has said he had nothing to do with the axing of opener Simon Katich from the national contracted players list, and added that Katich''s latest outburst were not good for the team''s morale, and therefore, he wouldn''t be rushing to bring him back into the national squad.

After scoring a game-saving century for New South Wales this week (110), Katich said that he couldn''t see himself playing for Australia again ever while Clarke is captain, and that he believed Clarke had played a part in him losing his contract with Cricket Australia.

Clarke denied playing a role and following Australia''s one-day series win against South Africa in Durban on Friday, he said Katich''s comments weren''t conducive to team morale.

Katich had earlier suggested that an infamous dressing room incident between Clarke and himself at the SCG in 2009, where he grabbed the then vice-captain by the throat, had impacted on his contract eventually being torn up.

The Age quoted Clarke, as saying: "Look, when Simon wasn''t selected, I wasn''t a selector at the time. Since becoming a selector, I''ve made it clear in plenty of press conferences that I''ve done that the door''s certainly not closed on anyone, but in saying that, I don''t think his comments are certainly helping him get back into this team at the moment."

"The team morale is such an important part of having success and it''s been a great thing for the Australian team in both forms of the game of late. I think the team morale is outstanding and we''re enjoying seeing a bit of success as well," Clarke added.

Clarke also praised Cricket Australia''s decision to appoint John Inverarity as a new full-time selector.

"I''m very excited, (Inverarity''s) the ultimate gentlemen, was a fantastic player and is a wonderful guy. So, I think both Watto (vice-captain Shane Watson) and myself are looking forward to spending a lot of time with him," said Clarke.

"I think it''s a great decision," he added.

Clarke further said: "I want to make a special mention to Andrew Hilditch. I think ''digger''s'' done a fantastic job and he''s been a selector for a long time and I hope he''s not just remembered for the last 12 months."
(ANI)