Allrounder Shane Watson’s decision to play as a batsman only on the Test tour of India isn’t paying dividends but Australia have bigger troubles within their batting line-up.
The diminutive figure of Phil Hughes is proving less than a handful for India’s spin attack who have gobbled up the left-hander four times in two Tests.
Hughes is averaging 6.25 for the series and Watson at No.4 has made 28, 17, 23 and nine for a total of 77 at 19.25.
Australia’s only back-up batsmen in their 16-man squad are six-Test player Usman Khawaja, 26, and five-Test player Steve Smith, 23. Neither player is knocking the door down to dislodge Hughes and Watson, the vice-captain and two-time Allan Border Medallist under no pressure from selectors for his place in the side.
Watson’s under pressure from himself though, having stated before the series started that he was determined to show his knockers that he could command a spot as a batsman only, while he’s regaining his bowling fitness following injury.
The 31-year-old has scored only 605 runs at 25.20 in his past 13 Tests and needs to put his skates on if he wants to start showing people how he’s a specialist batsman.
Watson’s career average of 36.02 from 40 matches with only two centuries is modest.
Of course, playing against England’s seamers in the Ashes series in July is a different proposition to facing a three-pronged spin attack in India, but runs build confidence and Watson is certainly in need of that.
Hughes, 24, must also be searching for a ray of hope. The 22-Test veteran has a career average under 34.
His lack of runs so far on the Indian tour could place him in danger of losing his spot to Khawaja for the third Test in Mohali on March 14, with Watson to slot into No.3 and the move many have been waiting for — skipper Michael Clarke from No.5 to No.4.
Khawaja could bat at No.5 with wicketkeeper/batsman Matthew Wade staying at No.6.
If Hughes gets another chance in Mohali he needs to make the best of it, although with his current troubles with the cut shot and the sweep, his more pressing assignment is to find a scoring shot against the spinners.
