Shane Watson vows to continue his sparkling show – Cricket News Update
In a purple patch in the ongoing ICC World T20, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is well aware of the importance of his role in the team, and has said that he would not take his “foot off the pedal” until the mighty Aussies clinch their maiden trophy.
Watson, who on Sunday clinched his fourth successive Man of the Match award in the latest edition of the T20 showdown, claimed that there is still a lot left in his tank and vowed to continue helping his team with both bat and ball in the remainder of the tournament.
"Nice to be able to continue to play well. I know how important my role is. It's still a h**l of a long way to go and I want to continue," Watson said after Australia's comprehensive eight-wicket win over South Africa in a World T20 Super Eight encounter, at the R Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, on Sunday.
The veteran Queenslander accounted for danger men, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, as Xavier Doherty led Australian attack restricted the Proteas to a gettable 146 for 5, before leading the chase from the front, with a 47-ball 70, laced with eight muscular boundaries and two lofty sixes.
About his batting strategy against the formidable South African pace attack, Watson said that the plan was to see off the seamers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and attack the rest of the Proteas bowlers.
"Facing Steyn and Morkel was a very big challenge. I knew if we got through the first four overs, we had to take on a few other bowlers but it was going to hold momentum for the innings," said the prolific right-handed batsman, who also bowls right-arm medium pace.
Watson also had a word of praise for senior batsman Michael Hussey, for stabilising the innings after the early dismissal of Warner.
"Hussey stabilised the innings," said the 31-year-old top-order batsman, who is currently leading the tournament’s run-scoring chart. "The top four batsmen are the ones who win you games consistently. Hussey (who made 45 not out) took the pressure off me to score," concluded Watson.
Australia are currently leading the Group 2 points table with two wins in two games, and will next play Pakistan in their third and final Super Eight fixture, in Colombo, on Tuesday.
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