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Ashes 2013-14: Shane Watson eager to play major role for Australia

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson struggled for form during the first three Tests of the Ashes 2013 series played in England. But with a fine century in the final Test at The Oval, he made a welcome return to form.

user-circle cricketcountry.com Written by CricketCountry Staff
Published: Nov 10, 2013, 01:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 10, 2013, 01:04 PM (IST)

Shane Watson

Shane Watson suffered from a minor hamstring twinge during the One-Day International (ODI) series in India ©
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Nov 10, 2013

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson struggled for form during the first three Tests of the Ashes 2013 series played in England. But with a fine century in the final Test at The Oval, he made a welcome return to form.

Watson said he was now ready to carry that Test form into the upcoming Ashes 2013-14 series. But he also said that he was under pressure during their England tour. “Of course I felt my spot was under pressure. I hadn’t scored the runs the team needed me to throughout the series,” he was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

“I definitely knew that if I didn’t score runs in the last couple of Test matches I couldn’t expect to get picked at all. I knew I had to make the adjustments to my game really quickly, otherwise I would have been out of the team.”

Watson’s powerful century at The Oval came after England had already wrapped up the series 3-0. Watson admitted that he should have contributed more to team’s cause when the series was alive, he added, “In the end, the hundred that I got at the Oval was insignificant because the series was over, so it’s really important for me and for all of us to get on top of this series so we’re not trying to claw our way back.

“I need to follow on from the confidence I got in that last Test match, but more importantly put in the performances required for us to win this Ashes series at home. I need to be one of the batsmen that makes a difference.”

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Watson suffered from a minor hamstring twinge during the One-Day International (ODI) series in India. Scans have confirmed though, he should be fit enough to play this month’s opening Ashes 2013-14 Test match at The Gabba in Brisbane starting from November 21.