Time for Watson to step up - Arthur
Mar 06, 2013 3:31pm
AUSTRALIA coach Mickey Arthur says the time has come for Shane Watson to step up as a Test batsman, admitting he is "praying" for the vice-captain to break a century drought spanning almost three years.
Watson is under pressure to retain his spot for the third Test against India after failures in consecutive Tests, first in Chennai and again yesterday in Australia's crushing innings loss in Hyderabad.
After two Tests on this tour, Watson has 77 runs from four innings at 19.25, extending his Test century drought to 37 Test innings.
Peter Badel: Watson must perform or perish
Intriguingly, Watson last blasted a Test ton in October 2010 at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali - the scene of the third Test on Thursday week.
Before the series, Watson, unable to bowl on this tour, declared he wanted to prove his bona fides as a top-six batsman and Arthur says D-Day has arrived for the out-of-sorts all-rounder.
"The truth be told, we really need Shane Watson firing now," Arthur said.
"Michael Clarke needs a lot of support in the batting.
"I don't think it's a technique thing at all.
"Every time Shane has gone to the wicket, he has looked brilliant.
"But he's been getting out for 20s. I just pray every time he goes to the wicket there's a big score because I think once he gets that one big score, that will unlock the shackles.
"We can't be a one-trick pony and we need other guys to stand up. We really do."
Watson is one of Australia's best-paid players under CA's contractual rankings but his Test record in the past 18 months has been mediocre.
After 40 Tests, his batting average has slipped to 36.03
and since August 2011, his mark has plummeted to 25.20 from 13 matches.
Of his 24 Test innings in that period, 17 have featured scores of 30 or less.
Mike Hussey not keen on rescue mission
Even skipper Michael Clarke says he isn't sure what Watson must do to transfer his brilliant one-day batting form to the Test arena.
"I don't know the answer to that, I'm not sure," he said.
"You probably have to ask Watto that question.
"I'm there to help him like every single batter, if there's areas he wants help, I'm there to support him. He's a very good player, he's a senior player in our team and like all of us we need to be scoring more runs.
"I certainly don't want to single Watto out and be having a shot at him. Our top six batters have not performed anywhere near as good as we need to.
"It's not about one player."
Clarke said he would convene with Watson and the batting group to ensure they stop the rot in the third Test.
The Australians today returned to Rajiv Gandhi Stadium - effectively day five of the Test match - to practice on the very wicket where they collapsed yesterday.
"I'm sure there will be times over the next few days where we will be spoken to as a batting unit and I will be part of the conversation," Clarke said.
"It is unacceptable the way we have batted.
"We have to be more disciplined with our shot selection. But I don't want guys to curb their natural instinct, I don't want guys to try and play a way they aren't comfortable doing.
"That will not get the best out of the player. And that's what we have to do, is get the best out of the team."
Wait a mo, Merv's got the answer
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Now the Poms are laughing at us
