Katich lifts spirits with county double-century

Simon Katich showed no ill-effects from having been dropped from Cricket Australia's 25-man contract list on Tuesday by hitting an unbeaten double-century a day later. Katich scored 220 not out as Derbyshire blasted to 448 for 4 against Somerset at Taunton in the Division Two County Championship clash.

Katich's unbroken 241-run partnership with Ian Harvey, who managed 123 not out, proved the undoing on a day of toil for Somerset. The ground has been a batsman's paradise during the early part of the season, but for a while early in the day that looked like changing when Derbyshire quickly found themselves 0 for 2 as Andy Caddick struck twice.

The third breakthrough, though, was a while coming as Katich and Steve Stubbings added 150. Katich was the aggressor before Stubbings edged behind to Craig Kieswetter, the promising wicketkeeper making his Championship debut, after facing 158 balls. Katich reached three figures off 167 balls, and his double off 298, while Harvey picked up his second century in two Championship matches. By the close Katich was eight short of his career-best score.