After his controversial axing from the Australian Test side last week, Hampshire batsman Simon Katich led his state New South Wales to an innings victory over Victoria yeterday.

Katich, right, led the way with 78 in New South Wales' first innings total of 414 in the four-day Pura Cup match at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Victoria were skittled for just 91 with a day to spare in their second innings.

Last Sunday, Hampshire's 2003 Player of the Year, top scored with 92 as his team recorded a thrilling five-wicket victory off the final delivery against the same opponents in the one-day ING Cup.

Katich, as revealed in Tuesday's Daily Echo, is expecting to finalise his 2005 Hampshire contract in a fortnight, and he admits the timing of the new deal has helped to soften the blow of his Test disappointments.

"I love playing for Hampshire and I can't wait to go back next year," Katich said. "I also want to return to the Rose Bowl after 2005, but it's best for me to review my situation every year because of my international commitments.

"Hampshire are a strong side with the ability to win trophies in the coming years. There is a good blend of experience and young talent coming through. County cricket has improved my batting and I want to score a lot more runs for Hampshire next year."

National selectors Allan Border and David Boon attended both matches in Melbourne, after dropping Katich last week from the side that thrashed New Zealand in Brisbane by an innings.

l Hampshire captain Shane Warne, meanwhile, admits he is not going to start walking.

Warne made his comments in the midst of the walking controversy which erupted during last week's Brisbane Test when Australia's Adam Gilchrist and New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan had a heated on-field discussion after McMillan refused to walk and was given not out.

Warne said: "Let me make my stand crystal clear. I am not a walker. Never have been, never will be. And I believe that 99.9 per cent of cricketers aren't walkers. Gilly is a walker and that's entirely his decision but it's an individual thing and I'm not walking."

l Justin Langer was 144 not out at the close of day one in the second Australia v New Zealand Test at Adelaide this morning.

The Aussies closed on 327-3 with Matthew Hayden (70) and Ricky Ponting (68) also in the runs.