Katich content to stick to limitations
Australia opener Simon Katich made no excuses for his steady approach after his century helped his side take control of the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.
Australia closed day three on 333 for four in their second innings, 300 runs ahead of their hosts who are likely to have to chase a mammoth total if they are to avoid defeat at Seddon Park.
Katich took 323 minutes to reach his ton, but refused to apologise for not adopting a more ambitious approach.
"I stick to my limitations," he said after being dismissed for 106.
"I know the limitations of my game and given that the game was in the balance I didn't want to take any undue risks, and make sure that I set a platform for the rest of the team.
"When you do bat at the top of the order it's easy to think someone else will get the runs, but you've just got to make sure you get out there and lay the foundations just in case that doesn't happen."
Katich had taken 138 balls before he found his first boundary, and finally opened up in the over after lunch where he struck two consecutive fours after only managing three in his entire innings.
The 34-year-old admitted he felt comfortable and relaxed after he reached his 50 and moved towards the ton.
"I did have a bit more fun after 50, that's for sure," he said.
"The first 50 wasn't great but after that, from 50 onwards I felt like I played quite well."
Black Caps wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum paid tribute to Katich's display, with the New South Wales batsman having scored 79 and 88 in his previous two innings in the two-match series.
"He's scored a lot of runs against us in this series," said McCullum.
"While he moves around the crease a lot, his defence is sound. He gets himself in good positions and forces guys to bowl straighter to him.
"He scores a lot of his runs on that left side and I guess he sort of lures you into going straight at the stumps.
"His strength is being able to tuck it onto leg side and pick up those runs."
Despite the difficult position his side find themselves in, McCullum feels a good bowling display at the start of the fourth day can get the Black Caps back in with a chance of victory.
"We're two wickets away from bowling at their bowlers and I think it showed in the first innings that if we do get that opportunity there's no reason why we can't run through that bottom order," he said.
"The key now for us is to try and get through those first two wickets, this partnership now and then obviously [Brad] Haddin to come. If we can do that relatively early, I see no reason why we can't bowl them out and still have the game in our control."
