10 April 2012
Shane Watson will open the batting for Australia in the Test series against South Africa next month, despite his scoring rate diminishing the more he bowls.
The Aussie vice-captain bowled plenty of important overs in Sri Lanka recently and is again toying with the idea of moving down the order.
However, skipper Michael Clarke has no intention of changing the batting line-up after Shaun Marsh did enough in Sri Lanka to push Ricky Ponting and Clarke down to four and five.
"My mind hasn't changed since Sri Lanka," Clarke said. "Right now I think Shane's best for the team opening the batting and that's certainly where he'll bat in South Africa."
The selectors want Watson and Phillip Hughes to open right through to the next Ashes series.
