Australia in the West Indies 2008

Watson could open in Tests - Nielsen

Cricinfo staff

July 2, 2008

	Shane Watson made 126 opening in the third ODI on Sunday and Tim Nielsen believes he could do a similar job in Tests © Getty Images

Shane Watson's best chance of a Test recall would be to make another push to open and eventually succeed Matthew Hayden, according to Australia's coach Tim Nielsen. Watson scored his first one-day international century against West Indies on Sunday and the innings means that when Hayden returns from his achilles tendon injury, Watson is likely to join him coming in first.

After his 126 guided Australia to a comfortable win, Watson spoke of his desire to fight back into the Test side, where he has not been seen since making the last of his three appearances in November 2005. Nielsen believes Watson can make a case to open at the highest level and could be a genuine option whenever Hayden, 36, retires.

"I don't think it can hurt, the fact that he is opening in one-day cricket," Nielsen told AAP. "We've seen a lot of guys come through the system opening in one-day cricket and then getting an opportunity at Test match cricket. So if he can show that he's got the ability to cope with the quality bowlers with the new ball in one-day cricket over the next 12 months, whenever the opportunity arises, his hat will certainly be in the ring."

However, Watson will need to lift his first-class output to make the transition viable. He typically bats at No. 4 or 5 for Queensland and although he tried to prove himself as an opener when Justin Langer's Test spot was up for grabs, Watson's six performances coming in first for his state were dire: 0, 0, 0, 15, 13 and 0.

He also has the problem of being behind Simon Katich in the pecking order after Katich burst back onto the Test scene in the Caribbean with back-to-back centuries opening while Hayden was injured. Whatever the case, Nielsen is pleased that Watson has enjoyed a six-month injury-free period after his latest hamstring problem.

"Selectors have shown some real good strength to stick with him and offer him chances whenever they can, and I think over the long run that's how you get players who can slot into any role," Nielsen said. "He's done that brilliantly this tour.

"He adds a lot of flexibility to our group. Shane is somebody who is good enough to come in as a batsman, who can hold his own as a bowler and does a good job in the field. International teams get caught out a little bit by relying on bits-and-pieces allrounders, who are not good enough in either batting and bowling. Watto is actually a good player as either a bowler or a batsman."

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