Watson: I'm ready to bowl more overs

Cricket365
November 30, 2013

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson is confident of being able to bowl full spells in the second Ashes Test next week, saying he was fit and ready to help his side extend their series lead.

England's batting in the first Test was dire, all out cheaply in both innings, so Watson wasn't required with the ball much, but Adelaide is a slower pitch so he will be needed more, and he's ready to contribute.

Watson, who only bowled two overs, both maidens, in Brisbane told <i>Fairfax Media</i>: "There's no doubt there's a plan for me to bowl a few more overs.

"We certainly got lucky to be able to bowl England out in about 50 overs in both innings. It doesn't mean it will happen again on a flat wicket in Adelaide.

"It could mean I need to bowl a few more overs, and I should be ready to go. I'll be able to bowl the overs Michael Clarke needs me to throughout the next Test and the rest of the series.

"We've got a really good balance with our bowlers at this point in time. If we're able to go up two-nil after Adelaide, it puts us in a very good position."

As for his batting, Watson said he felt good about his technique and was better prepared now than he was ahead of the first Test. He added: "I've been hitting the ball well for the past six months.

"Obviously I've worked very hard on the lbw issue, and I feel I'm very close to getting on top of it. It's more so time in the middle – I didn't have the perfect preparation.

"Ahead of the first Test it would have been beneficial to play a Shield game to get into the mindset of playing in a Test match. I'll certainly be better for it going into the second Test."

Watson was then asked the obvious questions about Jonathan Trott, and he said he understood how it could become tough to keep going, and was grateful to have his family with him when the Ashes took place in England.

Watto said: 'You never want any professional sportsman to be in that position where they feel they need to have a break to be able to get on top of things.

"There's no doubt that for every professional sportsman – and I know I've been through it at certain times of my career through injury and form – it gets pretty tough at times.

"In England I was very lucky to have my family with me. It probably makes it a bit harder for the English guys who don't have their family out with them."