Melbourne, August 03: All-rounder Shane Watson believes he can be a solution to Australia’s long-standing opening problem and feels he has the technique and temperament to counter the moving new ball.
“I have absolutely loved the challenge of opening the batting and I feel that I have the technique to open the batting,” said Watson, who scored an impressive 62 as a makeshift opener during Australia’s first innings in the on-going third Ashes Tests in Birmingham.
“I have no doubt I have the mental and technical aspects to be able to open the batting and consistently do well. I just have to perform and form a really good partnership with Simon Katich,” he added.
The 28-year-old Tasmanian, however, said he was little nervous initially when asked to replace struggling Phil Hughes at the top.
“I was probably the most nervous I have ever been before I went out to bat, but once I got through a few overs I felt fine,” Watson was quoted as saying by The Australian.
“To be able to face the fresh English bowlers on a brand-new wicket with a brand-new ball was a great challenge and I really really enjoyed it.
“The development of my technique means I have been able to take it on more comfortably than I did previously. The one opening stint I had 18 months ago was very poor,” he said.
“But to be able to develop the game I have the past six months, particularly technically, meant I had the best chance to combat the new ball and English bowlers.”
He credited former India coach Greg Chappell, who is now the head coach of Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, for the improvement in his batting technique.
“It was just simplifying my technique so I was not really thinking of anything apart from watching the ball and keeping my mind clear,” he said.
“Greg Chappell is the guy I have worked with closely over the past six months to really simplify my game.”
Watson also feels his batting colleagues need to apply themselves more to counter the English swing bowlers.
“Jimmy is bowling well when the conditions are right and it is swinging around,” he said.
“There is no doubt that we need to be a bit more patient and a bit more technically solid with our defence and decision-making to make sure he does not go through us again,” the right-hander added.
—-PTI