NEW DELHI - South African cricket selector Mike Procter might be pitching for specialists, but the Australians have a different take on it. Cricket Australia (CA) has been encouraging all-rounders and is now reaping the benefits.

From Andrew Symonds to Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Andrew McDonald and Marcus North, Australian all-rounders have proved to be potential match winners. Bowlers like Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee have also polished their batting skills and are more than handy batsmen down the order.

It is the cut-throat compeition for the Baggy Green that is forcing Australians to become multi-dimensional cricketers. And Australian cricketers are well aware of the fact that multi-utility cricketers are sought after.

Katich, the Test opener and left-arm spinner, feels that it is the steady flow of quality all-rounders that has been the key to Australia’s success.

“There is tough competiton to get into the Australian team. So it is always better to excel in both the departments of the game. The current trend shows that all-rounders like Shane Watson and Marcus North have done exceptionally well with both the bat and the ball,” said Katich, who is here to play for New South Wales in the Champions League Twenty20.

Katich feels that in crisis situations, all-rounders are better equipped compared to specialists to bail out the team.

“They also give a captain more flexibility in attack. Binga (Lee) and Midge (Johnson) have improved their batting skills and that has helped the team as well,” he said.

Victorian all-rounder McDonald says that it was his all-round abilities that helped him earn his Baggy Green in Test series against South Africa earlier this year. Injuries to Watson and Symonds opened the door for the McDonald in the Australian team in Januray and since then, the Victorian had never looked back and earned a CA contract for the 2009-10 season and also a place in the Ashes squad.

“It was a surprise call for me. But my all-round abilities earned me a Test call. You can’t be satsfied being a bowler or a batsman. All-rounders have become an integral part of the Australian team and they are winning matches as well,” he said.