Watson: Hosts the biggest threat at WT20
Veteran Australia all-rounder Shane Watson says World Twenty20 hosts India will be the toughest opposition to beat next month, given their experience in the format in home conditions.
Watson, a veteran of the Indian Premier League and this year's most expensive player, knows the conditions, and India's players, very well, and feels the Aussies will have tricky time getting a win against them.
Watson told the CA website: "I think India will be the toughest team because it’s in their home conditions. They know their conditions better than anyone and have performed well in big events at home.
"India have a good all-round team; their batting has firepower all the way through, bowling-wise, their spinners are world-class and they have some good quicks.
"Ashish Nehra is bowling really well and (Jasprit) Bumrah has been a great find for them. They have a really well balanced team so I think they will be a big challenge."
As for his personal challenges, Watson said he was happy just to be in the squad, and would bat wherever he was told to, once skipper Steve Smith had decided who would open, and go from there.
He added: "I'm not sure where I'm going to bat in the upcoming T20 World Cup. We have a number of world-class opening batsmen with Finch, Khawaja, and Warner.
"(Whatever) the makeup of the team, we're going to be a very strong batting line-up, there’s no doubt about that.
"We're just going to have to fit in with what works best for the team."
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.