Shane Watson disappointed at dismal Ashes campaign
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has stated that the below-par performance of the Australian team in the Ashes series is a major setback for him personally. Watson, who was taking part in a full Ashes campaign
for the first time at home, was one of the few batsmen from the Australian team who performed decently with the bat, yet the overall team performance has been, for lack of better word, abysmal.
"It's not great being a part of something that has been so disappointing," http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 said. "It would be nice to be in the golden era, but we're not playing well enough to be part of that this year. Going into this
series I thought there were going to be defining moments in our careers and there has been - on the wrong side, unfortunately. There’s no doubt we've let ourselves down in the way that we've played.”
Watson feels that the opponents were better throughout the series. The English team is on the verge of recording an astounding win with their third innings win in five matches of the series. The tourists dominated
the series after a slow start at the Gabba in the first Test. Watson believes that they were better prepared and knew exactly what they were set to encounter against their rivals.
"The English have played extremely well in the last two games, they've made the most of the conditions, whether it's been swinging or seaming, or going reverse and turning. Hats off to them, they've played unbelievably
well. We haven't played up to our standard."
Watson admitted that the Aussie think-tank and the players in general had little idea about the immense strength of the English squad that was h**l-bent upon returning with the Ashes urn still in their clutches.
"With the history of the Ashes and how it's panned out, and playing in our home conditions, it has surprised me in a way," he said. "The way they've played, and how complete they are as a team, it's very impressive.
The Australian team hasn't done that."
The all-rounder from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tasmania-c854 had a dismal end to his campaign in the series with the third instance of him of being involved in run outs. This time he was the victim as his opening partner Phil Hughes left him
high and dry and seething after the dismissal.
It was the turn of Watson to face the music after he had delivered the same to his two partners at Adelaide and Melbourne; the players sent packing him by were Simon Katich in Adelaide and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185 in Melbourne.
"It's not good, it's hard to put a finger on it to be honest," he said. "It's a horrendous situation to be involved in three run-outs now. It's something I've got to work on. It's not good enough."
After the Sydney Test match, the two teams are set to play a seven-match ODI series on the eve of the World Cup. The Australians have won the last three editions of the premier ODI tournament and would want to
erase the memories of their bitter Ashes campaign with a solid performance.
Many feel that Watson would have an important role to play in the tournament where the conditions would suit his style of play. The Tasmanian hopes that he will be able to make the kind of impact that he is truly
capable of. The Aussie fans are depressed and relying on the likes of Watson to bring smiles back to their faces.
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