CARDIFF, (Reuters) – Australia opener Simon Katich  battled to his first century in seven tests against England yesterday with a steely resolve fuelled by the bitter  disappointment of losing the Ashes four years ago.   Katich, 33, was dropped shortly after scoring only 248 runs  at 27.55 in 2005 before reinventing himself as an opener in the  West Indies last year.

Yesterday, Katich batted for almost 4-1/2 hours to score  an unbeaten 104 and help his team to 249 for one in reply to  England’s 435 all out on the second day of the first test.

He shared an unbeaten second wicket partnership of 189 with  captain Ricky Ponting who ended the day 100 not out, his 38th  test hundred.

There was scarcely a memorable shot from Katich, apart from  a flashing off-drive to the boundary, but his gritty innings  helped swing the momentum back to Australia.

“Those of us who have been through what happened four years  ago were hurt and you can’t forget that hurt,” Katich told a  news conference.

“From that point of view there are a few of us who are keen  to make amends for what happened on that tour. We were bitterly  disappointed with how we played in that series.”

Katich said he had been helped technically by Bobby Simpson,  a tough Australian captain in the 1960s who, as a coach, helped  Allan Border turn a team of under-achievers in the late 1980s  into Ashes winners.

“I owe a huge amount to Bobby Simpson when I did get dropped  four years ago and was wondering if I could make it back,” he  said.

“His help and support has been enormous in getting me back  to this stage so I’m always going to be grateful for that. His  help technically has turned me into a more confident player.”

Katich made his debut in the 2001 Ashes series in England  but has only now established himself in the side, scoring six  centuries in his last 16 tests.      “I probably look the same but I do feel a bit more confident  at the crease in being able to hit the ball straighter,” he  said.

“This series is a huge series for me. You can’t hide from  the past, there’s nowhere to hide in test cricket

England can take consolation from a lead of 186 and the  twists and turns the game has already provided in the first six  sessions. However, apart from a hostile six-over spell from  Andrew Flintoff, their bowlers did not threaten.

Graeme Swann, whose jaunty 47 not out in the morning session  propelled England past the 400 mark, bowled five maidens in a  row and had a confident lbw appeal against Katich turned down.

But he did not attempt to disguise England’s disappointment  at the Australians’ close of play score.

“We didn’t put the ball in the right place often enough. We  can whinge and moan about the ball going soft, the wicket being  flat and Katich not being given out lbw off me but that’s the  way of the game,” he said.

“It turned about as much as I expected. Everyone has been  telling me it’s going to turn square but I’ve played here before  and I know the odd ball turns but the majority don’t and you’ve  got on because of that lack of pace.

“It’s not all doom and gloom by any means. All the bowlers  are looking forward to getting rid of this ball, throwing it in  the river, and getting a new one in their hands.”