Ashes: Time running out for Watson

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He who cannot help himself is beyond anyone's help, goes a popular cliche. It's hard to find a better statement to describe the predicament that Shane Watson presently finds himself in.If the symptoms are to taken at its face value, then the doctor would probably diagnose Watson with a 'mid-life crisis'. Those who have watched him play at close quarters are at a loss to explain why a cricketer, as amply talented as he, is intent on ruining it without any help from the opposition. His detractors, many of whom have for long held the opinion that the all-rounder doesn't have the skill-set to excel in Tests, are likely to be vindicated if his woeful form continues.When it comes to batting, Watson probably has all the shots in his book, including a sound defence. His penchant to walk across to strike the ball through covers or mid-wicket has proved to be his undoing far too often and it is high time Watson does something to amend this gaping flaw in his technique. This only too apparent flaw in his technique only makes it too easy for the bowlers to send him back to the pavilion.The problem with Watson is not his disposition, which may not be as unshakeable as Michael Clarke's but is not fragile either, but his intentions. An instinctively attacking player, the one thing that becomes only too apparent when one watches Watson bat is that he does not like to take anything lying down and wants to be on top of the bowlers right from the word go.While he would like to be the one toying with the bowlers, it is really disheartening to see that what is transpiring is exactly the inverse. If at all Watson hopes to fulfill the dreams, not merely his but of the many fans who saw him when he was still in the nascent stage of his international career, he needs to give himself a reality check.While he favours the opener's slot, the Australian team management needs to seriously mull over the pros and cons of this decision before acceding to his request. His technical shortcomings act as a serious handicap when he opens the batting and faces the swinging ball. Both Watson and the Australian team would be better served if Watson were to be dropped down the order as the last few Tests have clearly indicated that he is ill-equipped to open the innings.While he continues to contribute as a bowler, his feats have not been so extraordinary as to warrant a place in the side as a specialist bowler. His moderate pace allows him to bowl long spells and they have come in handy very often whenever the Australians have wanted to tie one end up. Again, this will not prove sufficient for Watson to hold on to his place in the eleven.The clock is ticking for Watson and the soon he manages to extricate himself from the web that he has spun around himself the better.