Shane Watson in action during the first day of the third Test between Australia and India in Melbourne.
© AFP
Shane Watson once again blew an opportunity to stamp his class and prove that he was Australia's best No. 3 bat. Watson perished playing an unnecessary sweep shot against off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after virtually picking the right deliveries to hit en route to a well-compiled 52. After winning the toss against India, Australia ended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Friday at 259 for five. (Scorecard | Highlights )
With David Warner out for zero - his first duck in nine Tests - Watson set himself up beautifully for a three-figure knock only to play a predetermined sweep to an innocuous delivery that kept straight after pitching. Converting fifties into centuries are hall marks of a great batsman and Watson will rue that he failed to convert a good start into something more substantial for the team. (Watson Rues Missed Chance at MCG )
Watson has passed 50 on 23 occasions but went on to score a century only four times, and twice in his last 66 innings. Damien Martyn (13), Simon Katich (10), Bob Simpson (10), Graeme Wood (9), Kim Hughes (9) and Ian Redpath (8) all made more or double the number of centuries Watson has made in careers of similar length. (Watson's knock impresses Chris Rogers )
Shane Watson's 23rd fifty in Tests was his fourth versus India. Since posting 57 at Bangalore in October 2010, Watson has recorded his first fifty in 12 innings versus India. The disappointment of overturning a poor run was clear. "I felt I was batting nicely and unfortunately I just got out again. It's very disappointing," Watson said in an interview. (Shami Plans to Send Australia Packing Early on Day 2 )
For long, Watson has been touted as Australia's best bat for the No. 3 position. No less than three captains, including stand-in man Steve Smith and Allan Border, have believed in Watson but the MCG effort drew some criticism from Michael Clarke, the commentator.
Dropped on 37 by Shikhar Dhawan at third slip, Watson passed 50 soon after lunch but then that sudden streak of impetuosity undid his contribution. "He's a very good starter, now it's important for him to go and get a big score," said Clarke, who was commentating on Channel Nine at the time.
Watson's 52 is his first fifty in nine innings in Tests, the last being 83 not out vs England at Melbourne in December 2013. Watson's perished at a crucial time. Chris Rogers, with whom he had shared a 115-run stand, had been dismissed the previous over, and suddenly Australia had two fresh men at the crease. It was a bad time to play an instinctive shot for a top-order batsman.
A quality all-rounder, Watson has always wanted to bat upfront but his average of 35.67 is inadequate for a top-three batsman. Certainly not impressive for a man, who rose from No. 6, and batted in the top three in 75 per cent of his 102 Test innings. Watson is repentant. "I just need to make sure I don't do it next time," said Watson on Friday. He has the luxury of time in this series to make amends.
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