Watto: Give new lads a long run in the side

Cricket365
September 27, 2015

Former Australia Test all-rounder Shane Watson hopes the selectors give the new players in the squad a decent run, to allow them to find their feet in an inexperienced side.

With Watson retiring from the format, that brought the tally to five senior players to leave the Test side in recent months, meaning the team that goes to Bangladesh has two uncapped players and a high number with less than 10 caps to their names.

WAtson, who has not retired from the shorter formats for Australia, says the bosses need to keep faith with the names they've chose to replace him, Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris, and Brad Haddin.

Watson told Sky Sports Radio: "The best way to get the best out of players is to give them some time to be able to find their feet and feel comfortable in the group.

"They are the best players that they can pick from at this point in time. They've got to go with what their judgments are to make sure they stick with these guys."

One player who will be eager for a long run in the side is Usman Khawaja, who has nine Test caps but has struggled to cement his place. His form this year has been good though, as captain of the Australia A side.

Watto added of Khawaja: "He's someone that just needs a bit of time to get his feet again, feel comfortable in the groove and continue to develop his game."

Now that Watson doesn't have Tests to think about, he'll be focusing on his New South Wales commitments, as well as the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash at the end of the year.

But his IPL future is up in the air, after his franchise, the Rajasthan Royals, were suspended for two years for spot-fixing scandals.

He explained: "I'll have to potentially go into an auction and play with another franchise which obviously wouldn't be ideal, but it's a great tournament."