Hailing from Ipswich, Queensland, Shane Watson earned his baggy green at just 23, debuting against Pakistan.
In that match in 2005 Watson was a bowling allrounder, allowing the Australian side at the time to play two spinners – Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill – on a dry Sydney wicket.
Since his debut Watson has played an important role in the Cricket Australia set-up with both ball and bat, sporting averages of 35.51 with the willow and 32.71 with the leather – very respectable figures for an all-round cricketer.
However, in recent years Shane Watson’s role in the Test line-up has morphed into that of a specialist batsman, as constant injury dramas have prevented him from playing more of a role with the ball. But Watson’s lack of runs of late is unacceptable for a top-order batsman.
With an average of 35.51 and a proven inability to convert starts into big scores, with only four Test centuries, is Shane Watson really a top-order batsman? Chances for such a gifted player and experienced member of the Australian team must be wearing thin.
What is the issue for the man who had the cricketing world at his feet not so many summers ago? Are they injury troubles, or is he just not a top-order batsman? One may argue a move down the order may be necessity, yet the arrival of hard-hitting Mitchell Marsh makes this move easier said then done.
One thing for certain is Shane Watson needs to stand tall on Boxing day and hope Santa delivers some much needed runs. If not it may be time for change in the Australian top three, with an improved and in-form Ed Cowan champing at the bit for another opportunity with four first-class tons this summer already.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Xavier Bartlett has been permission to extend his cricketing education with a spell of T20s in England, playing in the Blast competition for Kent…
Three-Test spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has signed with Tasmania in a bid for red-ball game time ahead of Australia's tour of Sri Lanka next summer.…
Last week, you read about the Matt XI, a compilation of the best cricketers ever to represent the name Matt. And to be fair,…
The Aussie needed every centimetre of his height and reach to reel that one in!
Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed 21 off the final over...but after three sixes, a caught and bowled and a run out, Mitchell Starc's Kolkata had…
The Third Umpire ruled that he was standing outside his crease and the ball was dipping, making it a fair delivery - but the…
