Sydney: Former great Ian Chappell said, on Thursday, that Australia need key all-rounder Shane Watson for the second Test against South Africa, dismissing as “ridiculous” suggestions he was not a top-six batsman.
Watson sat out the first Test with a calf injury and is no certainty for next week’s match with the Proteas, with selectors saying that an inability to bowl would count against him.
The Australians came out of the first of three Tests with an edge over the South Africans in the drawn game. But they must win the series to wrest the number one ranking from their rivals.
Chappell said Watson must make the cut regardless of whether he can bowl. “If I’m a selector picking the Australia XI and Shane Watson is not in the best six batsmen, I’ve been watching a different game,” Chappell said.
“If Watson is fit to play and they don’t pick him as a batsman, I find that strange. He has proven himself as a batsman… If Shane can’t bowl, that is not the major consideration. (AFP)
