SIMON Katich has backed Hampshire to win the Champions League T20 – at his expense.

Hampshire will play Simon Katich’s Perth Scorchers in their final Group A game on October 23 if they get through the qualifiers.

It could effectively be a quarter-final, but Katich (pictured) – who captained New South Wales to the inaugural CLT20 title in 2009 – says: “If Hampshire get through qualifying, which they should do, they will have a great chance of reaching the latter stages, and going on to win the Champions League.

“It will be an interesting game against us if they get through as they know about me and I know all about them.

Their strength is their ability to play as a team and they have many match-winners and guys who know their role.

“Dimi’s a great captain for his ability to be up front with the ball and his batting sometimes wins matches on his own. The key for Hampshire is to start well, there isn’t time for them to slip up.

“The other teams are OK but should not worry Hampshire too much although the team from Pakistan (Sialkot Stallions) can be very unpredictable.”

This could be Katich’s last tournament.

He will decide whether to return to Hampshire after the CLT20, but will continue to play club cricket in Australia, regardless of his decision.

“I’ll take some time to make up my mind about Hampshire next year and see what the future brings after cricket,” he says.

“I still enjoy playing and had a fantastic time at Hampshire, it’s great being involved with such a fantastic group of blokes.

“I felt I moved around well in the field – I got my leg pulled all season because younger blokes like Sean Ervine couldn’t quite believe I was really 37.

“Sean kept saying that I made him look old!”