Shane Warne says Shane Watson should be given every chance to become a 100-Test player and that means shielding the all-rounder from opening the batting.
Watson has made a great success of the opening gig, scoring 990 runs at 47.14 since replacing Phillip Hughes for the Edgbaston Test of the 2009 Ashes series.
But Warne says Australia should give Watson, who plays a key bowling role as a master of reverse-swing, the chance to put his feet up during a five-day match.
"Watson's going to have to do a lot of bowling this summer," Warne told Radio SEN on Wednesday.
"He has done extremely well. But if you look at the bigger picture in the future, we want Shane Watson playing 100 Test matches for Australia because he's a quality player.
"To do that I think his best position is No.5. If we do lose early wickets, to have someone who can open ... bat five or six (will be crucial).
"With his bowling, it gives him a bit more time to put his feet up."
However the 29-year-old Watson, who has taken 38 wickets at 27.57 in 20 Tests, said this week he loves batting at the top of the order.
Katich and Watson boast the second-best average for Australian openers in 20 Tests or more. Their 54.95 an innings as a pair places them behind Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson. They currently have 1099 runs together, with Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer in front on 5655.
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