He’s been called worse – most likely by Indian rivals at the second Test at the Gabba.

But former Test leggie Stuart MacGill reckons Shane Watson is no Test No.3 batsman after yet another false start on Thursday.

And ex-Australia opener Michael Slater has also turned up the heat, wondering aloud when the all-rounder was going to make another statement with the bat.

The Indians raised eyebrows – and obviously Watson’s ire – when they could not stop themselves from launching into over-the-top celebrations after he fell for 25; yet another below par score for the hulking matchwinner.

Watson looked set before thrashing spinner Ravi Ashwin to a diving Shikhar Dhawan at mid-on before tea on day two – and then things got strange.

Ashwin carried on as if he had just sealed India’s maiden Test win in Brisbane.

Virat Kohli lingered around a disappointed Watson to deliver a not so subtle blast.

And Dhawan – who also famously mocked a limping Watson in an ODI last year – launched into what could only be described as a mad jig while keeping firm eye contact with the obviously unpopular Australian.

There was not much love lost for the underperforming Watson off the field either as MacGill gave his two cents on yet another top order mis-fire.

Watson’s dismissal marked the 34th time he had notched a Test score between 20 and 50.

Overall, the 33-year-old has passed 20 a total of 61 times, converting them into only four centuries with 57 per cent of his scores falling between 20 and 99.

MacGill – someone who knew all about failing with the bat with an average of 9.69 from 44 Tests for Australia – said Watson was not suited at No.3.

“I know he likes batting up the order. For some reason Australia likes him batting up the order,” he told espncricinfo website TV.

“But he’s made just four hundreds. I am not sure what is happening with him.

“He’s an allrounder especially with Mitch Marsh injured (hamstring) so I just think there is an opportunity for him in the middle order and hopefully I don’t fall asleep talking about this again next Test match.”

Slater said time was running out for Watson to find form in the No.3 spot which has changed 20 times since former skipper Ricky Ponting’s departure.

“He’s a quality player, but I think he’s got to show at No.3 that he can get that big score soon,” Slater told cricket.com.au website.