Opener Shane Watson’s dominance has left Australia’s middle-order batsmen short of a gallop going into the business end of the World Twenty20 tournament.

But it’s not a bad problem to have.

Australia lost only seven wickets in four matches with Watson (234 runs at 78.00) sharing opening partnerships with David Warner of 60, 30, 133 and 10.

Even on Sunday, when Warner was out for five, Mike Hussey (45 not out) put on 99 for the second wicket with Watson who made 70 off 47 balls.

Watson, Mike Hussey, Warner and Cameron White are the only four Australia batsmen who’ve faced more than eight deliveries in the opening four games.

The middle order of White, George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell have faced a combined 46 deliveries, while wicketkeeper/batsman Matthew Wade and the tail have been required to do little more than yell encouragement from the boundary.

Australia’s decision to drop medium-pace bowling allrounder Dan Christian for left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty has weakened the batting but clearly strengthened the bowling.

Doherty claimed 3-20 from his four overs on Sunday night against South Africa.

Christian is handy with the bat but would probably have been coming in at No.8 behind Wade and his time would have been quite limited at the crease, barring a major collapse.

This gives Australia’s attack a more dangerous look, especially if as expected Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium pitch starts to wear more and become more favourable to the spinners.

Australia would be able to continue to use pace to their advantage through Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson, with frontline spinners Doherty and Brad Hogg plus the offspin of Maxwell.

While skipper and co-selector Bailey backs Christian, allrounder David Hussey and seamers Clint McKay and Ben Hilfenhaus to play key roles if recalled to the side, he’s prepared to stick with left-arm wrist-spinner Hogg despite his two wickets at an average of 53.50 in the tournament.

Hogg would not feel super-safe however and a good performance on Tuesday night against Pakistan would ease any concern over his selection for the semi-finals.

Australia can expect to qualify if they lose their last Super Eights game against Pakistan.