Shane Watson sends out Ashes warning as England team arrives in Australia
The war of words before the Ashes has become a ritual in the build up for the tournament. Pranks, predictions and verbal insults work to make the tournament more competitive and Shane Watson has now predicted that the England pace bowlers, James Anderson
and Steven Finn will struggle in the Australian conditions where the pitch provides ample bounce to the bowlers. However, he said that Stuart Broad will be the biggest threat for Australia. These three fast bowlers were crucial in England's 3-1 win against
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 has warned them that the game will be completely different down under.
Watson has evolved into a key player and asset for the Australian side and his form in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 is a testament to that fact, where he successfully opened for Australia on more than one occasions.
Watson said that Broad had the requisite skills to make the transition from English conditions to the harder flatter surfaces in Australia but the credentials of the other two bowlers, Anderson and Finn are under severe scrutiny. When asked if he thought
that Anderson and Finn would struggle, he stated, "I do. It's obviously a very challenging place to come out and play and it's very different to England with the way the ball swings all day. That's why Jimmy Anderson is so skilful when the ball is swinging.
When the ball is not swinging, it makes it easier to bat."
Anderson had performed poorly when England went to Australia for the Ashes some four years ago where he was only able to take four wickets at an average of 82.6. On the contrary, Steven Finn will be in Australia for his Ashes debut. Watson also challenged
the credentials of Finn, who took 32 wickets in the first eight Tests that he played. Watson stated that home conditions in England are way different than those in Australia where the pitch does not offer much swing. Therefore, it will be a test of his bowling
skill when he faces the Aussies in Australia.
Shane Watson stands convinced that Australia will be more comfortable than they previously were during the 2009 Ashes series which they had lost. He maintained that conditions were different in England and it would take the Englishmen some time to settle
in to the conditions in Australia.
However, he was all praises for the England bowler, Stuart Broad who he admits has matured into a skilful bowler. Broad enjoyed great success against Pakistan not only with the ball but also with the bat as he went on to score 169 runs in the fourth Test
at Lords which was overshadowed by the Spot fixing imbroglio. The form of Jonathan Trott will also be crucial during the Ashes.
"Stuart Broad is a very skilful bowler," he said. "He will be their main man out here. He's got the skills to adapt to different conditions, and got the height to make the most out of his bounce. I really think he's going to be their main man. If we're able
to negate him that will be a big plus."
The England team has arrived in Australia on Saturday afternoon just in time to face their three first class tour matches. This Ashes will surely test the credentials of the England side that has been in extremely good form. Their opening game will be against
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Australia-c844 and the Australia A team before heading out to Gabba for their first Test on the 25th of November 2010.
Tags: