Shane Watson looks beyond Melbourne heroics
After a dazzling century that took his team to a convincing win in the first One Day International at Melbourne, Shane Watson is set to launch a help effort for thousands of people devastated by the floods that rocked the state early in
January 2011.
Watson’s heroics took the hosts to a 6-wicket win over England as they announced their comeback in the limited overs format despite the thrashing they received in the 2010-11 Ashes. Watson, who played exceptionally well in the Test series,
switched easily to the shorter formats as well.
He scored a brisk fifty in the first Twenty20 match at Adelaide before his memorable knock on Sunday which was the sixth-highest score for an Aussie player in the 50-over format.
However, after the match he said that he was more concerned about the devastation caused by the floods and wanted to play a role in rehabilitation of the victims.
“I'm really looking forward to being able to get up there and feeling like I can have some input in some way. My family was lucky enough not to be affected, but I know some of my friends who live close to the river, and also my primary
school, the grounds close to it were all flooded. It's going to be heart-wrenching to see the devastation that's there,” Watson said.
Watson also spoke about his outstanding effort which would go down as one of the best-ever hundreds on Australian soil. He praised the support that he was given by the Aussie Twenty20 captain Cameron White who was with him towards the end
of the chase. The hosts were always in control especially after a solid start between Watson and Brad Haddin.
“Cameron White was great to keep me thinking about exactly what was required and how we were going to do it,” http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 said. “I was a little bit tired at that stage so for him to process it well with me, it worked out nicely in the end. To
be able to get through and get a hundred, it's going to continue to build my confidence if I get close to there in Test matches.”
The emphatic win was a much-needed boost for the beleaguered hosts who lost the Ashes series before losing the first match of the Twenty20 series. They then won the second Twenty20 before winning the first ODI at Melbourne.
The seven-match ODI series would provide both the teams with ample opportunities to gear themselves up for February’s ICC World Cup 2011.
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