Watto calls for Paine to choose his deputy

AUSTRALIA is in the midst of a convoluted process to appoint its next vice-captain, but Shane Watson believes it should be as simple as the captain’s pick.

Watson is somewhat of an authority on the matter, having served as a vice-captain, captain and senior player through a torturous period where personality clashes appeared to undermine the leadership of the Test team.

Mitchell Marsh is considered the overwhelming favourite to step in as Tim Paine’s deputy for the upcoming tour against Pakistan, but several players are reportedly on a shortlist, having been originally nominated by their peers and last week put through an interview process in Brisbane.

Michael Clarke has admitted he was a poor vice-captain to Ricky Ponting, Watson concedes he and Clarke didn’t work, and the ball-tampering scandal has exposed the flawed chemistry between David Warner and Steve Smith.

The final decision on the Test vice-captaincy will be made by Justin Langer and the selectors before going to the board for approval, with an announcement to be made before the first Test in Dubai on October 7.

But Watson says that after nearly a decade of getting it wrong, Australia should consider simply giving the casting vote to the skipper Paine; the man best placed to foresee a match who will best support his captaincy.

“I think the captain should just about pick the vice-captain or have a huge influence in that decision because, in the end as a captain, you know who is going to be your most supportive person,” he said.

“I really believe the captain should have a massive influence because then there’s more chance of getting that dynamic right instead of taking it out of the captain’s hands, which has happened a lot.”