Arthur expresses uncertainty over Shane Watson’s Test position – Cricket News Update
Australia’s Head Coach and selector, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326’s Test future after the all-rounder voiced his desire to reinvent himself as purely a top-order batsman.
Watson made the decision to give up on his bowling following a recurrence of the calf injury which had kept him out from the start of the current home summer. Having missed the opening two bouts against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, the 31-year-old returned for the final
match of the series before taking part in the first two Tests against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
However, his inability to prove his mettle with the ball eventually persuaded him to reconsider his stance as an all-rounder, and indicate that bowling won’t be a part of his repertoire, at least in the immediate future, as he seeks consistency as a batsman.
Watson has had limited impact in the Test arena this summer, scoring just 153 runs in three matches at 30.60. His bowling contributions have also been minimal, where he has grabbed just 3 scalps at 52.66.
The selection panel had openly revealed their intentions to see Watson in an all-round capacity, but given the amount of cricket he has missed, largely due to bowling injuries, Arthur hinted at the possibility of considering the player as an out and out
batsman.
However, for that, Arthur suggested that the player will need to play Sheffield Shield fixtures rather than take part in the team’s limited-overs endeavours against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, before the management decides whether to include him for the upcoming tour of
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, slated for next month.
"I don't think http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 would mind me saying this, right at the moment Watto wants to come back as a batsman," Arthur said. "He feels every time he bats and then he gets injured bowling, he just loses a bit of momentum with his batting, which is probably fair
to say. He wants to come back and bat, definitely. Once he feels his body is going well and that he feels he's cemented his batting position, we will then take another look at how we want to go with Shane in terms of bowling.
"He still wants to bowl, but his primary focus right now is to make the team as an out-and-out batsman."
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