Once again Australia opener Ed Cowan failed to get a big score but the left-hander also guided his side to a good start with David Warner.

Cowan, who went into Friday’s first Test against India with a modest average of 32.81 in 13 matches, was out for 29 after lunging down the pitch and being stumped off the bowling of Ravi Ashwin.

The 30-year-old, under instruction to play his shots, struck four fours and one six in his 45-ball stay and shared an 64-run opening stand with Warner.

They average a solid 45 as an opening combination in 14 matches.

Warner, who was fourth man out for 59, has spoken at length about his partnership with Cowan.

He says the published author Cowan is too clever to be a cricketer and constantly gives the 26-year-old Warner advice on what the bowling is doing and how to handle it.

So arguably Cowan has done a solid job and got out doing what he was told – to be aggressive.

The sub-plot to the debate over Cowan’s place in the side is Shane Watson’s recent comments about how he’d prefer to return to the opening role himself, where he has played his best cricket as a batsman.

Watson made 28 on Friday at No.4 and is likely to stay in that slot, particularly later in 2013 when he returns to the bowling crease and resumes his allrounder’s role, which he has admitted is tough to handle as an opening batsman and pace bowler.

While Cowan’s low score on a dustbowl pitch at least served a purpose for the team in his 55-minute stay, No.3 batsman Phil Hughes looked awkward against spin and was bowled by Ashwin when the left-hander’s attempted cut shot dragged the ball onto his stumps.

Hughes hit 233 runs at 46.60 against Sri Lanka last month in his return series after a year out of the side. Australia will hope the diminutive left-hander can quickly regain that form in such a crucial batting slot.