The Ashes 2015: eternal Shane Watson conundrum still plaguing Australia

SHANE Watson in his twilight and Mitchell Marsh in his infancy offer completely different assets. So, will Australia go with a reliable seamer or explosive batsman?

Kent v Australia - Tour Match

AUSTRALIA’S biggest dilemma this Ashes series is whether it’s time to move on from Shane Watson.

For selectors, it’s likely to come down to a simple case of what they prioritise more from their all-rounder in English conditions — batting or bowling?

If the answer is a game-changing No. 6 who could take a Test away from England in a session with the blade, the answer has to be young buck Mitchell Marsh, who is fresh from back-to-back monster hundreds in the tour games and is clearly maturing as a batsman.

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However, on the other side of the ledger the importance of having a fourth seamer who can keep things tight with the ball can’t be underestimated, and therein is the argument to retain Watson.

Neither Watson in his twilight or Marsh in his infancy, appear to offer the full package at the moment.

During the World Cup, selectors couldn’t decide who they wanted, although in the end, the confusing game of musical chairs didn’t disrupt the charge to the final.

But for an Australian outfit that hasn’t won an Ashes on British soil since 2001, this isn’t the time for second guessing and Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann will be eager to lock in the right man from the outset.

Just like his dumping for the Afghanistan match in the Cup, dropping Watson for the first Ashes Test could be completely justified based on his recent performances.

Mitchell Marsh salutes after reaching 150 against Essex.

However, the 34-year-old batted solidly enough in the tour games and may have enough of a resume against England to allow him one last chance.

Watson averages 43.57 against England and virtually the same number on UK soil — the second best of any Australian batsman over the past 10 years apart from Michael Clarke.

With the ball, Watson might not be a strike weapon, but he has an innate ability to keep things tight.

In Chelmsford, the Essex batsmen said Watson’s swing and variation made him the toughest Australian bowler to score off, even though he didn’t take a wicket in the entire match.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris was also a master of controlling proceedings in English conditions, and although he may never have played the first Test, his career-ending injury may serve as a timely reminder of the virtues of Watson in this new-look Australian attack.

Marsh is more of a wicket-taker, but Australia may feel they have enough of those with Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood spearheading the show.

What Marsh can’t provide is an anchor should the quicks go off the boil, as they did on occasions in the tour match against Essex.

The 23-year-old Marsh was going at seven at times in that game, and that’s a dangerous practice in England when the margin for error is small and runs can build up quickly.

However, there are compelling reasons for Marsh as well.

The first is Australia have traditionally always favoured batting over bowling when selecting their all-rounder.

Shane Watson (L) and Mitchell Marsh shake hands.

The importance of a firing top six is crucial in conditions where if the ball is swinging, early wickets can go down and the middle-order all of a sudden is relied upon to build a total.

Australia are overwhelming favourites in this series, and if Australia are adopting the positive mindset for which they are known — they may see an opportunity to bury England into the ground with a power-hitter like Marsh in the line-up.

What should also count for Marsh is the fact he is putting performances on the board right now.

Watson might have good numbers against England in the past, but in his recent Test appearances he has struggled to convince.

Lehmann said no player holds credits in the bank when it comes to Test selection, although in many ways, that’s exactly what Watson is relying on.

LIKELY TEAM: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

Originally published as The Ashes 2015: eternal Shane Watson conundrum still plaguing Australia