Australian opener Katich struggles with heel injury

Australian opener Simon Katich is struggling with a heel injury but will be fit to bat in Australia's second innings in the second Ashes test, captain Ricky Ponting said today.

Australian opener Simon Katich is struggling with a heel injury but will be fit to bat in Australia's second innings in the second Ashes test, captain Ricky Ponting said on Sunday.

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The 35-year-old took a knock while close fielding in the drawn first Ashes test in Brisbane and was forced to leave the field for a lengthy period of the third day of the second test in Adelaide.

"He'll get as much ice on it as possible knowing that he's got a lot of batting to do over the next couple of days," said Ponting.

"He'll be okay, he's a pretty tough character as we know."

Australia will need all hands on deck as they fight to save the second test after England took a 306 first-innings lead with six wickets in hand on Sunday.

Katich's misfortune has not been restricted to injury in Adelaide and he was dismissed without facing a delivery on the fourth ball of the test.

Opening partner Shane Watson set off for a run without making a loud enough call and Katich was stranded when England's Jonathan Trott hit the wickets with pinpoint accuracy.

"It's going to take a lot to stop him from batting," Watson said of Katich. "It's going to be interesting to see our running between wickets after our first debacle. He'll be out there fighting, though, I just have to make sure I don't run him out."