Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, has confirmed Shane Watson will continue to open the batting in South Africa, despite reports claiming the all-rounder was contemplating a move down the order to revive his form.
The rigour of opening for Australia and bowling regularly appears to have taken a toll on Watson's batting with the right-handed vice-captain managing just 85 runs in three Tests on placid pitches in last month's 1-0 series victory in Sri Lanka.
In a recent interview, Watson said moving down the batting order might reduce his workload and suit the side but his captain believes otherwise.
"My mind hasn't changed since Sri Lanka," Clarke told reporters in Sydney today. "Right now, I think he's best for the team opening the batting and that's certainly where he'll bat in South Africa."
Anthony Stuart, the New South Wales coach, has been quoted in the Indian media as saying they would not ask Watson to bowl in the ongoing Twenty20 Champions League tournament in southern India after receiving a request from Cricket Australia.
Australia will travel to South Africa to play two Twenty20 internationals, three one-day internationals and two Tests from October 13 to November 21.
Clarke said he was expecting a tough tour.
"Playing anybody on their home soil is always harder because you know your conditions so well but ... I'm confident if we're at our best, we can beat any team anywhere in the world.
"They have had a lot of success in their own country, so it's as tough a challenge as you face in world cricket, no doubt."
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Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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