SHANE Watson scored 84 yetserday in Australia’s tour game against India A before declaring he’s ready to go back up the order if David Warner is ruled out of Friday’s first Test.

Opener Watson batted superbly and hit 13 fours and one six off 87 deliveries.
However he was a part of a top-order collapse of 4-11 as Australia stumbled to 4-131 at stumps on day two of the three-day clash in Chennai in response to India A’s first innings of 451.
Warner was rested from the match because of a fractured thumb but had a batting session in the nets on Sunday and is pushing hard to prove his fitness for the start of the four-Test series against India.
Watson had added 116 with Ed Cowan (40) for the first wicket.
Left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhurv (2-19) claimed the key wickets of Cowan lbw and Watson caught-behind, although both batsmen looked surprised to be given out.
Phil Hughes (one) and Usman Khawaja (one) both fell to offspinner Jalaj Saxena (2-14).
Matthew Wade (three) and Moises Henriques (zero) are at the crease.
Watson, who moved to No.4 in Australia’s batting order during the Test summer but has performed best as an opener, says he doesn’t know what his role will be if Warner plays.
“Initially in the first Test anyway, it depends on whether Dave Warner will be fit,” Watson said. “Everyone has their fingers crossed that he’ll be fit to play and if he is fit, I’m not sure but I think I’ll bat at four.
“The selectors and Michael (captain/selector Michael Clarke) and the coach (Mickey Arthur) haven’t really mentioned either way so far about where I’m going to bat.
“I certainly do love opening the batting. It is a lot of fun to be able to open, in any conditions really.
“I know I’ve got the game plan … to hopefully have some success batting at number four if that’s the case.”
Australia’s spinners Xavier Doherty (3-108), Ashton Agar (3-107) and Nathan Lyon (2-113) claimed eight wickets between them in India A’s innings, but all conceded centuries on a turning pitch in a performance that is a hardly a boost to Australia’s confidence.