SIMON KATICH scored the second half century of his one day international career as Australia clinched a series win in New Zealand.

But the Hampshire player still faces a battle from close friend Mike Hussey for an ODI and Test place.

Katich and Hussey have been pals since they were 13-year-olds and in 2002 Katich was best man at Hussey's wedding.

But now they are battling it out for the batting spot in Australia's one day and Test teams left vacant by Darren Lehmann.

At present Katich is expected to be named in Australia's Ashes squad - ruling him out of action for Hampshire from July onwards.

But his place could come under serious jeopardy from Hussey, who has starred in English conditions before for Northants and Gloucestershire.

Katich did his chances no harm at all in Auckland at the weekend, when he scored 58 as an opener alongside Adam Gilchrist in his 13th ODI in the absence of the injured Matt Hayden

But before that Katich had scores of 0, 9, 5 and 0 to his name and his former Western Australia teammate Hussey is in excellent form.

After Katich had been trapped lbw by Daniel Vettori for a 78-ball 58, Hussey followed up the brilliant 20-ball 32 he scored in the previous match with an unbeaten 65 in an unbroken 136-run stand with former Hampshire batsman Michael Clarke (71 no).

Hussey said: "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to cement a place in the middle order soemwhere. I definitely want to perform well and impress.

"All the middle order guys are competing with each other to try to get a place.

"Kat and I both understand that at this level, it's very competitive."

The Australian Test squad for next month's tour of New Zealand is announced this week, and Katich admits he is desperate to get a chance to impress.

"I have a point to prove because it was very disappointing to be dropped after the India tour in November," Katich said.

"All I can do is score runs and hope the selectors keep their faith in me for the three Tests against New Zealand."

In-form batsman Brad Hodge scored his second consecutive four-day Pura Cup hundred for Victorialast week to stake his claim for a place in the Test squad ahead of Hussey or Katich.

But Hodge, who starred for Leicestershire last summer, is still waiting for his Test debut and it would be a major shock if he was named in the squad to face the Kiwis.