Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann’s key to success is that he is first and foremost a team man, and scrupulously fair as his second asset.
That being the case there’s no way Shane Watson should be picked for the second Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth, starting Thursday.
Watson missed the series opener at Centurion with a return of his dicky calf muscle injury, and both Alex Doolan on debut and Shaun Marsh, back in the side after two years, grabbed their chances.
Doolan’s 27 and 89 were impressive for his patience and wide range of shots against the highest-ranked Test pace attack in the world.
Marsh was superb throughout his 148 in the first dig and well controlled in his second innings of 44, giving the pair 308 runs between them.
More importantly, both shared double century stands that proved as vital in the 281 victory as Mitchell Johnson’s career-best 12-127.
Marsh and Steve Smith put on 233 for the fifth wicket in the first dig when Australia was in deep trouble at 4-98.
While Doolan and century-maker David Warner put on 205 for the second wicket in the second innings after Rogers departed at 1-1.
Neither Doolan nor Marsh deserve to be dropped for an injury-prone Watson who isn’t likely to bowl at Port Elizabeth with his calf muscle tending to erupt at any stage.
There’s been talk of dropping opener Chris Rogers for Watson. That too is a no-no, despite Rogers’ poor first Test with 4 and 1.
Rogers and Warner are the best opening pair available at the moment, although Phil Hughes has more genuine opening batting credentials than Watson to replace Rogers if that’s the way Lehmann wants to go.
But Lehmann has proved with Queensland, Australia A, and now the baggy greens that if it “ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
And it sure ain’t broke after that thumping 281-run win over the best Test team in the world.
Interestingly, both Lehmann, a selector, and skipper Michael Clarke, a non-selector, have astutely talked their way around the Watson issue in interviews which proves there’s no decision in cement.
But for team harmony and justice, Watson should be a spectator at St George’s Oval.
If Watson is selected, you can bet your house on the fact Darren Lehmann has been outvoted by co-selectors John Inverarity, Rod Marsh, and Andy Bichel.
If that happens, it will be at the trio’s peril.
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