Time to drop ‘overburdened’ Watson down the batting order in Tests, says ex-selector
By ANIThursday, January 27, 2011
SYDNEY - Former Cricket Australia selection chairman Trevor Hohns reckons that it is time to drop ‘overburdened’ Shane Watson down the batting order in Test matches.
“For a start you have to drop Watson down the order, you can’t have him bowling 20 or 25 overs and spending as long in the field as he has been and then expect him to open the batting,” Fox Sports quoted Hohns, as saying.
“He is our key player and needs to bat in a key position,” he added.
Hohns says that Usman Khawaja, who opens in club cricket for New South Wales, could do the job at the top with Shaun Marsh.
“I am definitely playing Khawaja and I am definitely playing Shaun Marsh. Marsh is a next-level player. To be honest, however, it is really tough unless you know what you are aiming for,” the 57-year-old said.
“The selectors should have decided two years ago to be aiming at last summer’s Ashes and the board needs to decide now what approach to take and let them know,” he added.
He also argues that Tim Paine can be brought in as a batsman.
“I am not suggesting you drop Brad Haddin, but he could be considered as a batsman in his own right and you could even look at him as an opener,” Hohns said.
“He is a stand-out cricketer,” he added. (ANI)
