AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Simon Katich is poised to return to the Rose Bowl next summer.

The Hampshire player-of-the-year for 2003, who was controversially dropped for last week's Brisbane Test match against New Zealand at the Gabba, is planning to sign a new one-year contract for the 2005 season.

Katich has been in talks with Hampshire captain Shane Warne and manager Paul Terry about a return next year and will still need permission from cricket Australia.

The signing of Katich, pictured above, will end the prospect of Michael Clarke returning to Hampshire, although Test cricket's newest young star was unlikely to be an option as he will almost certainly be in both the one-day and Ashes squads for Australia next summer.

Katich could conceivably be available to Hampshire all summer.

However, he is most likely to be in the same situation as Warne, who will miss the international one-dayers and be available to Hampshire until mid-July when the Ashes series starts.

In 2003, Katich scored four hundreds for Hampshire and 1,143 first-class runs.

The stylish 29-year-old left-hander also spent a month at the Rose Bowl this summer, averaging 40 in the County Championship.

"I decided to have a rest after Australia's tour of Sri Lanka last March," he told the Daily Echo.

"But I missed playing and wanted to return to Hampshire. I found it difficult to find my best form immediately, and there were only six matches left until the end of the season. It will be good to play a lot more next year.

"Playing for Hampshire has improved my technique against spin bowling and added a new dimension to my game.

"I spoke to Warnie during the India tour when he indicated that I was wanted at Hampshire. I want to make a big contribution in all competitions.

"It will be an exciting season at the Rose Bowl. Chris Tremlett should play Test cricket and Dimitri Mascarenhas also has a good chance of playing for England."

Hampshire director of cricket Tim Tremlett said: "Yes, we are talking with a view to him coming back next season, although it is not finalised. Shane Warne has spoken to him in India and he has also spoken with Paul Terry in Australia."

Katich has dominated the cricket headlines in Australia in recent weeks after returning from his maiden tour of India last month, scoring 276 runs in four Tests at 39.42, including a 99 in the third Test at Nagpur. Only Clarke and Damien Martyn scored or averaged more, yet 34-year-old Darren Lehmann who scored only 135 runs at 26.4, was picked in place of Katich.

The decision upset Katich and most of the Australian media are backing him for an immediate recall in this week's final Test at the Adelaide Oval.

His case was further enhanced when Lehmann was dismissed for just eight in Australia's first innings in Brisbane.

Katich, who currently averages 41.10 from 13 Tests, added: "I am hurt after being dropped by the Australian selectors, but the new contract with Hampshire has reduced some of the pain."

Katich led New South Wales' to victory in the one-day ING Cup over Warne's Victoria in Melbourne on Sunday, scoring 92.