Shane Watson would be “dejected” by snub

If anyone can relate to Shane Watson’s predicament, it must be fellow national cricket squad member Simon Katich.

Despite a successful Indian tour, Watson may yet lose his spot in the Australian team for the first Test against New Zealand starting in Brisbane on Thursday after the surprise recall of allrounder Andrew Symonds.

Katich knows all about sweating on Test selection.

The gritty left-handed batsman has been in and out of the national side since his 2001 debut, resulting in a 30-Test career sprinkled with major highs and lows that have almost done his head in.

But he’s riding the crest of another wave after leapfrogging Test opener Phil Jaques and averaging almost 50 in a 2-0 series loss in India.

The expert on Test snubs said Watson would be forgiven for feeling “dejected” if axed for the first Test - at first anyway.

“But I think if you take it the right way … then you can make it work for you down the track,” he said in Brisbane on Sunday.

“If he continues to improve…when he gets another opportunity I’m sure he will make the most of it.”

In a welcome shot in the arm for Watson, Katich joined the chorus of approval for playing two allrounders at the Gabba.

“It depends on where you are playing …. and the Gabba is more suitable than others in Australia (to use two allrounders),” he said.

Former skipper Steve Waugh planted the seed to play two allrounders, meaning just two front-line quicks would be unleashed on the battling Black Caps.

Brett Lee - the flop of the Indian tour - as well as Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle make up the pace stocks in the 13-man Test squad.

In his newspaper column in The Weekend Australian, captain Ricky Ponting rated Watson a “revelation” in India and indicated that he would only include two allrounders at the expense of offspinner Jason Krejza.

Once frustrated by a string of injuries, Watson has been buoyed by his subcontinent success and seems prepared for anything the selectors throw at him.

“If Roy (Symonds) gets a spot, he bloody deserves it, he’s been a great player for a number of years,” Watson told News Limited on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t feel hard done by, no way. I’m realistic of where I’m at.”

Katich was encouraged by Watson’s comments.

“He originally got the opportunity with Andrew Symonds not being there, he took it and did well and now that opportunity possibly might be taken away from him,” Katich said.

“But having seen some of his comments he seems to be in the right headspace…if that (axing) happens then it seems like he will take it the right way.”

Suffice to say Katich is also looking at life through rose coloured glasses.

“To me it was a bonus to play all the Tests in India. At the start of the tour I wasn’t expected to be playing - it was just the way it was,” he said.

“To get the opportunity was great and to get some runs was nice - hopefully I can carry that form on to the Australian summer.”

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