Every good team has a strong No 3 batsman and that’s been evident in the most successful Test sides of recent times. India had Rahul Dravid with his technical efficiency and is now blessed with Cheteshwar Pujara, who has a taste for big scores that would satisfy a master chef. South Africa has Hashim Amla, a run-making machine and Jonathan Trott performed a similar role for England until recently. It’s no coincidence that Trott’s slump has resulted in lower England totals.

u00a0Sri Lanka has the silky smooth Kumar Sangakkara and Australia had the ideal prototype in Ricky Ponting. However, since Ponting retired, No 3 has been a black hole during a period of limited Australian success. That’s why the importance of Shane Watson’s belligerent century at the Oval can’t be overstated.