The Australian opening batsman, Shane Watson, might need to bat down the order if the young top-order batsmen, Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja make an entry into the national squad.
The right-handed batsman said that he loves to bat as an opener but would be willing to shift down the order if management decides. However, he also added that according to his discussions with the team, not muchwould change.
The 29-year-old Watson has played 27 Tests so far for his country. He has scored 1953 runs setting his average at 41.55.
While talking to media Watson said, "I do love opening the batting and at the moment my conversations with Michael [Clarke] and with the team hierarchy have been that things won't change."
The batsman claimed that Australia could face a glut of openers but in the end the management has to find the best combination.
He added, “We have to find out what the best combination for our batting order is going to be. It has been a weakness of ours over the last little while, our batting collapses more than anything, so over the next couple of months we will be talking about trying to find the right balance."
For the upcoming series between Australia and Sri Lanka, which is likely to be scheduled in August, the selectors are working on finding the best possible opening combination. However Watson is the man whose position is not in trouble.
Watson, who just ended his 4th Indian Premier League edition, has proved his mettle as an opener for his team, the Rajasthan Royals. In the Royals’ farewell game against Mumbai, Watson scored an unbeaten 89 from 47 deliveries.
The Australian management will have many options available to them and the pressure will be on Watson to prove he is worthy of the opening spot.
Watson’s performance was exemplary throughout the recent World Cup. He opened for his national side and gave several solid starts. Unfortunately, the middle order failed to back him up, leading to Australia’s ouster from the tournament
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