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FORMER Test skipper Ricky Ponting has challenged Shane Watson to step up as an Ashes matchwinner, saying he is more important to Australia's batting success than Michael Clarke.
Boasting a Test average of 52.08, Clarke is unquestionably Australia's best batsman and will carry the side's Ashes hopes - starting today in the first Test at the Gabba.
But Ponting instead nominated Watson as the batsman who must deliver for Australia to have any hope of averting the ignominy of a fourth consecutive Ashes series defeat.
The allrounder has pushed Australian selectors' patience to breaking point with form fluctuations that saw him go almost three years without a Test century.
But after he cracked a career-best 176 in his most recent Test against England in August, Australia are hoping it is the career-defining knock that turns Watson into a Test batting force.
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Ponting championed Watson's abilities throughout his tenure as national captain and says it is time the injury-prone allrounder won a series with consistently dominant batting.
"I think Shane Watson is the most important batsman," Ponting said as Australia and England yesterday wrapped-up preparations for the Gabba opener.
"If he can play at (No.3) the way he finished the last series then that will help Australia a lot.
"It's got to be at the start of this series rather than at the end."
While Watson has been a revelation as a one-day batsman, he has struggled to dominate in the longer form, having compiled 2998 Test runs at 36.12 with three tons in 46 Tests.
The 32-year-old has endured the heartbreak of several near misses. He has been dismissed four times in the 90s and admits his Test record could look more ominous had he converted good starts into mammoth scores.
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"You can't change things," he said.
"I've always done my best with the bat. In a perfect world I would have averaged 50 in Test cricket and 40 in one-day cricket, but life has never been perfect.
"I've given 100 per cent. I'm still happy with what I have achieved."
But Ponting has no doubt Watson can produce more this summer. In a further boost for the Australians, Watson is expected to bowl in the first Test after initial fears a hamstring injury would restrict him to batting duties.
Clarke isn't about to bowl Watson into the ground but indicated yesterday the allrounder will be called into the attack to make a difference.
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"I don't think he will be at 100 per cent in bowling 25 overs in the first innings of a Test match, but Watto has improved every single day," he said.
"I'm confident he will be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball for us," he said.
Ponting, who ascended to greatness in the No.3 slot, says the Australian batting line-up has a solid look with Watson at first drop and Clarke at No.4.
"I'm a big believer that your best batsman should bat as high as possible," he said.
"It's no good Michael coming in at 3-30. He has to be in there stopping them getting to 3-30. You can't expect lesser skilled players to do a harder job than you. I'm glad he's moved up to four."
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