Watson to bat at number three for Australia in Test matches

Sydney, Mar 4(ANI): After months of intense speculation and debate, it has now been confirmed that Shane Watson will bat at number three for Australia in the Test matches, as he makes his return in the five day format for the upcoming West Indies tour.

Handing Watson the premier No.3 position once held by Don Bradman, Ian Chappell and Ricky Ponting will mean a straight switch and no tricky reallocation of the order because Shaun Marsh will be dropped after a dismal Test summer.

It means Australia will stick with current opening pair of Dave Warner and Ed Cowan as both complement each other despite being different in their batting styles.

Australian coach and selector Mickey Arthur has confirmed that he has mark down Watson for the No.3 role.

"I am of the opinion he will slot in beautifully at No.3. It could be a really nice fit having him there. And, you would not have to break up the rest of the batting order so that is a big plus. Everyone in our batting line-up are such different players and that is a great thing for us," News.com.au quoted Arthur, as telling The Sunday Mail.

"Watson is a great player against any type of bowling. But one of the things that I've considered is that if he went to No.5, it could be a tricky thing for him to start his innings against spin after he has spent so much time as an opening batsman," Arthur said. (ANI)