Shane Watson Should Not Bat Down the Order for Australia

Even as Australian cricket is moving once more in the direction of looking like a competitive team once more, there is speculation that a shake up could be on the cards with regard to Shane Watson’s position. However, there is reason to believe that the status quo must remain as far as Watson is concerned.

Shane Watson

Watson is presently down with a hip injury and it is unknown whether he will play in the first South Africa Australia ODI series. However, given the long term perspective, there is serious consideration that Shane Watson, the powerhouse in the Australian dressing room at the moment, could drop down the order from his own established position as the team’s opener across all formats.

Shane Watson though needs to remain in that pivotal opener role, particularly since the Australian selectors have virtually helved Simon Katich, the prolific Australian opener merely on the basis of age. While that decision has led to a furore, the changing and transitional nature of the team suggests that they need a strong force at the top of the order and Watson has been providing that in good measure.

Even since his stint with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL in 2008 at the recommendation of former Australian leg spinner, Shane Warne, Watson’s career has truly transformed as far as his contribution to Australian cricket is concerned. Although reckoned as a serious all rounder and a player for the future, Watson’s cricket career failed to take off as desired with injury, lack of consistent form, and expression of doubt from those in cricket circles took their toll. However, in the last three years, Watson’s image as an indispensable all rounder who can wreck havoc with both, bat and ball, has gained unprecedented attention even as the Australian cricket has been in the doldrums.

As Australia now try out a few new combinations of players and strategies, it would seem that shuffling Watson down the order would not be a particularly prudent move, particularly since there are relatively inexperienced faces who are vying for the opening slot and having Watson’s experience and panache to grab the initiative would certainly help them settle into their role without too much pressure.