Watson likely to fill in Langers' shoes: Ponting

Sydney, Aug 28 (UNI) Australia all-rounder Shane Watson's success as opener at various levels has prompted captain Ricky Ponting to endorse him as a probable replacement for Justin Langer in the Test side.

Ponting used his thinking cap to great effect when he said that 26-year-old Watson, who usually competes with team-mate Andrew Symonds for the all-rounder's position in the test side, could be used as opener this summer, which will give him an option to play two all-rounders in the team.

''We've got some excellent competition for quite a few spots in the side. The opening batting is probably the one that has been the most spoken about over the past few months,'' Ponting was quoted by the Australian media on the sidelines of a training camp.

''It is an interesting one for sure. I would imagine that Symmo would start. Maybe Watson and Symmo both can play in the same side.

''If that happens, Watson's got to bat up the top of the order somewhere. I think he would have to be an opening batsman,'' he said.

''He has given every indication that he could do that. That's one of the dilemmas that he will have. But I haven't really sat down with all the selectors about which way they're heading or what they are looking at,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Watson will have to face a stiff competition from Phil Jaques and Chris Rogers for the vaccant slot as they were being pitted as the most likely candidates to fill in Langer's big shoes.

However, Watson enjoys a slight advantage over his two other compatriots as he will be part of the Australian ODI side that tours India in October, before Ponting's men play two tests against Sri Lanka and a four-match series against India in their home turf.

UNI