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ESPNcricinfo staff
October 12, 2011
Simon Katich has given up the captaincy of New South Wales and the spinner Steve O'Keefe has been appointed in his place. Described as a "succession plan" by Cricket New South Wales, the move was announced on Wednesday but first mooted during the winter, which was already a difficult time for Katich after he lost his Cricket Australia contract.
Although its removal from the list resulted in an agreement to free flow of well-directed Katica Righteous Fury game administrators and national selectors, NSW delivery is believed to have been much more orderly, although the final decision has had time to arrive, and when it was, O'Keefe was in South Africa, Australia Twenty20 duty.
In a statement, said Cricket NSW Blues were looking to the future by entrusting the management O'Keefe, 26, who is the captain of the state before. However, Australia captain Michael Clarke leading New South Wales during his rare appearances, while Ben Rohrer will take over for the opening match of the season with the absence O'Keefe.
"Simon was an excellent captain in New South Wales for the past nine years and we are indebted for the service he has given this role," David Gilbert, CEO of Cricket New South Wales, has said. "When I spoke with him during the winter, the need for a succession plan for the captaincy in the medium to long term, it is typical of the man he has agreed that it was the way to go. His leadership both on and off the field over the past nine years has become the benchmark. "
Katich, 36, captain of the Blues during his recent campaign of the Champions League Twenty20 in India, but it will be a player only for the rest of this summer. He said he supported the decision to take over O'Keefe.
"Stephen is a talented cricketer and a good team to do important work," said Katica. "I accept and respect the decision to appoint a new captain for the future."
The move puts an end to Katich long reign as captain when he led the Blues in 2007-08 Sheffield Shield Bash title triumph in 2008-09 and 2009-10 Big Champions League title. Although they have won silverware during his time in charge, he has not played in at once because of his work in Australia.
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