WANTED: one all-rounder, able to bat for a couple of hours and bowl economically. Youth an advantage. Apply to John Buchanan, Australia dressing-room, Nottingham.

If Australia want to balance their side for the fifth npower Test, their scouts should have been at the Oval this week. Shane Watson, the 24-year-old Queenslander, was Hampshire’s most impressive bowler against Surrey on Thursday, although his wickets column stayed empty, and yesterday he showed his batting skill.

Watson’s four-hour innings of 88 was disciplined and patient, albeit with all the flair of an accountant nearing retirement, as Hampshire made lethargic pursuit of 378. Traditionalists love such doughty batting, but the run-rate in the Ashes has increased expectations and this rain-affected match needed greater urgency from both sides to achieve a positive result.

John Crawley has acquired the nickname of “Peter Ebdon” this season, after his resemblance to the snooker player, but his batting was more akin to Terry Griffiths as he steadily added 107 with Watson in 34 overs. The introduction of spin at both ends halted the runs and, perhaps in frustration, Crawley tried to sweep a full toss from Saqlain Mushtaq. It caught him on a shin, in front of the wicket, and his innings was over for 42 from 113 balls.

Two moments of rare flamboyance from Watson stood out, a cover-driven boundary off Mohammad Akram early on and a pull over mid-wicket from the same bowler. But his innings ended in disappointing fashion, giving Saqlain catching practice at cover from a ball tossed up by Nayan Doshi.

Hampshire trudged on at just more than three an over, Nic Pothas accelerating gradually before reaching his hundred with a six off Doshi, but it may have been wiser to declare earlier and force Surrey to set a target today.