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The word around the press box campfire at SuperSport Park has apparently been that Shane Watson may struggle to be fit for the second Test at Port Elizabeth.
Having potentially dodged a selection bullet, it would be easy to imagine John Inverarity and co breathing a sigh of relief with Shaun Marsh and Alex Doolan doing the job at three and four at Centurion, should that scenario be the case.
Obviously Watson adds another string to the bowling attack bow, however having averaged a touch under six overs an innings in the last Ashes series is his ailing body really capable of providing a useful contribution to Michael Clarke’s arsenal?
If his swing bowling is to be only considered a bonus that can be used when Watson’s body is up to it, consideration must be given to where he is to bat when his current physical malaise comes good.
Post-Simon Katich, whose Test career was inexplicably cut short despite averaging 48.08 as an opener over the course of his final year of Test cricket, our best pairing has been the five innings Chris Rogers and Shane Watson played last year when they averaged 49.
But the best long term union has been that of Ed Cowan and David Warner (44.85 from 28 hits).
It seems the selectors current opening policy is to pair a dasher with a grinder. Since Katich was let go, they have gone with two out-and-out stroke makers twice.
Warner and Watson were sent out to get the game moving along at The Oval last year and there was the ill-fated Glenn Maxwell and Warner effort in the final Test in India last year.
So don’t hold your breath for a Warner and Watson teaming in South Africa or any time soon.
Since Ricky Ponting’s retirement after the Perth Test in early December 2012 there have been eight different blokes tried in that key batting post.
While that may seem over the top, since Phil Hughes took the number three reins from the former skipper, there have been ten changes at that post. Yet throughout that period, Watson has averaged 52.10 when batting at first drop.
Although Alex Doolan has certainly cashed in at Centurion, especially with his magnificent knock of 89, it appears that three is the slot Watson should fill, if and when he returns.
Clarke and Steve Smith have proven extremely successful when batting at five averaging 69.44 and 52.06 respectively since Ponting moved on however, with Clarke moving back down to that position for the first Test in South Africa, it appears the spot is secure.
Nowhere has the ripple effect of Ponting’s retirement been felt more keenly than at number six, where Mike Hussey was a mainstay for the final 16 months of his magnificent 79-Test career.
Nine blokes have been tried at six producing a paltry two hundreds from Matthew Wade and Smith.
With Clarke at five, Smith will retain his position as the all-important number six.
So should Watson not be able to take his place in the eleven at Port Elizabeth, the battle is on between Doolan and Marsh for the coveted number four position in the third Test.
Whoever misses out in Cape Town will be stiff, but isn’t it a luxury to be relatively spoilt for choice as a selector for the first time in a long time.
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