Australian vice-captain Shane Watson believes Moises Henriques is the country’s most talented allrounder and should be named in Australia’s squad for next month’s Test tour of India.
With Watson, who’ll return from a calf injury in NSW’s domestic one-day match with Western Australia on Wednesday, shelving his bowling duties in a bid to maintain his fitness, the Test allrounder’s role is up for grabs.
Henriques ended a three-year exile from international cricket when he was recalled for the three one-day clashes against Sri Lanka this month.
He then produced best performance in Australian colours in Hobart, taking three crucial wickets, before aggravating a finger injury in the Sheffield Shield match against the Warriors which required minor surgery.
That will keep the 25-year-old out of cricket for at least the first two games of the West Indies series, both to be played at the WACA, but shouldn’t put him out of contention for the Indian touring party, which is expected to be announced on Thursday.
“There’s no doubt he’d be able to do a very good job playing over in India,” Watson said on Tuesday.
“He’s played a bit over there in other tournaments in the past … having one more bowling option will certainly help Michael (Clarke) out.
“He’s certainly, I think, in the best form of his career. He’s very dynamic with the bat.
“I think he could do an excellent job batting at around No.7.
“There’s not too many people in world cricket that can really come out and hit the ball from ball one like he can.
“Obviously with his bowling options as well it provides a great all-round package.”
Watson cannot be considered an allrounder until he resumes bowling, which he hopes to do before the Ashes which start in July.
And he admits Henriques, who’s currently averaging 77 with the bat in Shield cricket, and claiming 14 wickets at 18 is at the top of the tree when it comes to Australia’s allrounders.
“I think he’s the most talented at this point in time,” Watson said.
“I also think Mitchell Marsh is one who is an extremely talented allrounder.
“I’d love to have at least another allrounder in any game because it takes the bowling workload off me a little bit once I get back into the swing of things.”
