Watson should bat at No.5: Warne

Melbourne, Aug 25 (ANI): Australian cricket legend Shane Warne wants opener Shane Watson to bat lower down the order so that the all-rounder's full potential can be realised.

Watson has scored 990 runs as an opener at an average of 47.14 since replacing Phillip Hughes for the Edgbaston Test of the 2009 Ashes series.

Warne said that Australia should give Watson the chance to put his feet up during a five-day match, because he has a key bowling role as a master of reverse-swing,.

"Watson's going to have to do a lot of bowling this summer. He has done extremely well. But if you look at the bigger picture in the future, we want Shane Watson playing 100 Test matches for Australia because he's a quality player," Warne said on Radio SEN.

"To do that I think his best position is No.5. If we do lose early wickets, to have someone who can open ... bat five or six (will be crucial). With his bowling, it gives him a bit more time to put his feet up," he added.

However, Watson said this week that he loves batting at the top of the order, FOX Sports reports.

Katich and Watson boast the second-best average for Australian openers in 20 Tests or more. Their 54.95 an innings as a pair places them behind Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson. (ANI)