Shane Watson's future uncertain as he is demoted from opener in Australia's second innings at Old Trafford

ONE of the most destructive short form cricketers in the world has been overlooked for a situation which would appear to be tailor made for him.

Shane Watson

WHAT now for Shane Watson? One of the most destructive short form cricketers in the world has been overlooked for a situation which would appear to be tailor made for him.

Australia began batting half an hour before lunch on the fourth day of third Test at Old Trafford 159 runs ahead and needing to set a target quickly to force a victory that would keep alive its slim hopes of regaining the Ashes.

Watson has had a poor series as an opening batsman but here was a chance to let him play with freedom, to treat the match as if it were a one-day match and unleash his brutal stroke play.

Instead David Warner was sent out to open the batting with Chris Rogers.

In normal circumstances Watson and Warner would have been the obvious destructive duo, a left-hander and a right-hander who can both murder the bowling.

But if Michael Clarke was making his decision on what he saw in the first innings than Rogers would be first picked to face the new ball.

His 84 in 114 balls during the first innings was a gem, with the first 50 coming at better than a run a ball.

The nudger and nurdler was a crisp, clean stroke maker.

In contrast Watson made an uncharacteristic 19 in 49 balls.

The powerfully built all-rounder, who has won numerous short form awards on the back of his destructive batting, has become a down the list spectator.

It was an admission that Watson is so at odds with his game that he is no longer a significant weapon.

If Australia was to make an impact in this series then Watson had to impose himself. This has not happened and Australia is 2-0 down. This is not entirely his fault but he must take significant responsibility as a senior player.

He was given every opportunity to prosper. The only piece of information new coach Darren Lehmann has handed out during his month or so in the job came before the first Test when he announced Watson and Rogers would open the batting.

Shuffled up and down the order of late during stop-start appearances because of injury, Watson’s record insisted that he must open the batting.

It has not worked. If it had been just about any other era he would not be in the side.

He has averaged better than 32 in just one of his past seven series, with three of them in the teens. This series he is averaging 26.

It is only his bowling that is keeping him in the side and on the surface that has been most unproductive, netting just one wicket at a cost of 114 runs.

This is not a true reflection of how well he has bowled. He has delivered 29 maidens in 59 overs and is conceding less than two an over.

There is a very strong argument to suggest that now Warner has been returned to the top of the order he should stay there.

Warner is far better against pace than spin, particularly when off-spinner Graeme Swann is turning the ball across the left hander.

Watson is in limbo again.