The loss of his wicket  brought the Aussie  back-up batsman Watson, to the crease and he was quickly off the mark against a Northamptonshire side missing its top five cricketers. Despite the continual interuption from the rain, Watson on his return from injury, hit 15 fours. He and Simon Katich (25) moved the score along to 48 before losing his wicket to David Willey, edging the ball to be caught behind. He is considered to be the first choice replacement if Hughes form does not improve. However, Watson is not without his critics, he opened for Queensland during the 2007-08 season and it was a disaster, scoring  just 28 in six inings.

Another outside possability for opening bat is Hussey who started his Test career as an opener and is very familiar with the position. Australia were 3-231 at close of play  on a rain-affected day one with acting skipper Mike Hussey (75no) and Marcus North (32no) unbeaten. At the moment this tour match has asked more questions than it has answered. With the weather expected to improve over the next couple of days, the Aussie selectors will hope that at the end they will be able to select their team for the next test at Edgbaston capable of restoring them to parity with the England who are 1-0 up in the series.