ESSEX are in talks to bring in Aussie hero batsman Simon Katich, the Echo can reveal.

The 35-year-old is being lined up for a move to the County Ground following his controversial axing from his national side.

Essex coach Paul Grayson said he would be delighted to bring the famous Test opener to the county.

Grayson said: “I have spoken to Kat, and I have spoken to his agent as well about his availability.

“His central contract with Australia is finished now and he wants to come and play some county cricket for a year.

“So we have spoken to him, and that is where we are at the moment.

“But I am aware that a number of there counties are interested in him too.

“Hampshire are very keen I believe, and so are Glamorgan and a couple of others.

“But we will keep talking to them, and hopefully we can make it happen.”

Katich was left off Cricket Australia’s list of 25 contracted players for the 2011/12 season last month.

Selectors said it was part of a plan to bring through younger players ahead of the team's tour of Sri Lanka.

It was a move which left a host of Aussie cricket greats lining up to condemn the decision to axe the country’s best-performing batsman.

Australia vice captain Shane Watson, who has an average over 50 as an opening partnership with Katich, said he felt it was premature.

And former Test skipper Ricky Ponting said he was shocked by the snub to a player who has performed as well as anyone in the world over the past three years.