Should Shane Watson bat at number 3?

Shane Watson is an immensely talented cricketer; there is no doubt about that - he can bat, bowl and field. He should be in the team when fit; absolutely, no sane person would argue against that, the question then is, where should he bat?

A look at his statistics tells us that in his 54 test matches so far played, he has scored 4 centuries and 22 half centuries for an average of 35.51; not so great for a batsman coming in at number 3. His 22 half centuries are a good return; that's why I feel he is better suited batting in the middle order at number 5 or 6. 

To keep everything in perspective; stand in captain Steve Smith now bats at number 4, promoted up the order from 5 where skipper Michael Clarke normally bats. In 2014 alone, Smith has scored 4 centuries and over 1000 runs at an average of 84.33; he is having a break-out year, Watson is not having a break-out year. Both Clarke and Smith go on and make big scores; Watson does not and must bat down a couple of positions to the middle order.