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Shane Watson and Michael Clarke both seem unsure what Watson's best role in the team is. Source:Getty Images
HAVING been moved down the Australian batting order to No.6, Shane Watson has undergone yet another transformation, this time from specialist opener back to would-be all-rounder.
The latest reinvention might not particularly please a cricketer who had made it clear he prefers to bat first. But Watson responded in the best possible way by making an urgently needed breakthrough on the first day of the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street.
Watson had opener Joe Root caught behind by Brad Haddin for 16, although not before yet another test of the now controversial Hot Spot technology.
Umpire Tony Hill turned down a confident appeal by the Australians, prompting an instant referral by captain Michael Clarke.
The replay showed a small Hot Spot mark on Root's bat, and the decision was reversed.
This suggested that, if players really were using silicone tape to avoid detection as has been alleged, Root is at the end of the supply chain.
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More importantly for Australia, it provided a vital wicket just as the England openers appeared set to survive a tough session in heavy, humid conditions that had provided encouragement for the Australian bowlers.
England captain Alastair Cook provided typically stubborn resistance. At lunch, Cook was on 21 from balls 90 balls and Jonathan Trott 13 as England crawled to 1-57 from 27 overs.
England's Ashes-clinching 2-0 lead in the series had been a matter of skill, rather than good fortune. But, having won for the toss for a third time in four Tests, Cook again provided his team with a potential advantage.
The pitch for the first Ashes Test to be played a Chester-le-Street was the typically brown, barren surface that has greeted the Australians at every venue. That should suit the off-spin of Graeme Swann, and the reverse swing of England's seam-bowlers, later in the match.
So it was vital took advantage of the new ball in heavy conditions that would probably provide the best bowling conditions of the first three days. Cook and Root, however, frustrated them in first hour despite some tight early bowling.
Jackson Bird, added to the Australian team for Mitchell Starc, came closest to claiming a wicket when Root edged his first ball just wide of gully.
Otherwise, despite some nagging bowling from Bird and fellow opener Ryan Harris, the Australians could not find the edge they needed from the bats of the tentative English batsman.
Watson's first spell began erratically, with two wides in his initial over. But, having changed ends, his dismissal of Root brought a mixture of elation and relief for the Australians.
Perhaps also for Watson, who admitted he no longer had the right to choose his own place in the batting order after he had scored just 146 runs at 24.23 in this series. Root was just his second wicket of the series.
Bird was named for his first Test of the series, and his third overall. He was man of the match in his most recent appearance for Australia against Sri Lanka at the SCG, and had been impressive in the tour games here.
Starc, who was also discarded after the first Test despite taking five wickets, might consider himself slightly unlucky having taken three wickets in the first innings at Old Trafford.
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