Cricket: Weary Australia take on West Indies
Stand-in Australia captain Shane Watson believes the team’s recent success over India and Sri Lanka will mask any world-weariness when they kick-off their Caribbean tour.
Australia tackle the West Indies in the first of five One-Day Internationals (ODI) today, with two Twenty20s and three Tests to follow on the seven-week tour - a trip they set off on just 12 hours after their Tri-Nation Series win over Sri Lanka in Adelaide.
Watson, deputising for the injured Michael Clarke, insists his squad can impress, with younger players desperate to make their mark.
“It’s a very exciting time in Australian cricket,” said Watson. “To think even 12 months ago it was being said that the depth in Australian cricket might not be that good, to actually see the guys who are coming through.”
Watson is keen to see how the likes of Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson and Peter Forrest perform in the Caribbean after making their mark on home wickets.
“Pattinson has been brilliant, Lyon as well. To see these guys come in and perform straight away is exciting.”
While Australia boast of their current line-up and backup, West Indies have turned to their back catalogue in an effort to gain an edge, with 31-year-old fast bowler Tino Best recalled after more than two years on the sidelines. Best last played international cricket in the 2009 Champions Trophy.
Another player in form is big-hitting Kieron Pollard, who smashed 151 off 120 balls in a recent squad warm-up.
However, West Indies are again without former captain Chris Gayle, who has not played for them since last year’s World Cup.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2012.
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