Watson confident of playing in Test

All-rounder unsure about bowling after recovering from hamstring injury.

BRISBANE:

Australia’s Shane Watson said Saturday he was confident of playing in next week’s Ashes series opener against England but was unsure whether he would be able to bowl.

Watson completed light running drills before another lengthy batting nets session on Saturday as he recovers from a hamstring injury ahead of the first Gabba Test starting on Thursday.

The all-rounder said he held out hope that he could bowl in Brisbane but would await the opinion of team doctor Peter Brukner.

“He has certainly given me great advice over the last six months especially with my body,” said Watson.

“I am confident I will be there as a batsman. To play as a bowler would be an ideal scenario. From previous experiences I will err on the side of caution. But if my body is right to go that’s what I will be doing [bowling].”

But team bowling coach Craig McDermott was not too sure about Watson’s chances of bowling if he played in the Gabba Test.

“We will wait until the day before the game to see where he is with his bowling,” he said.

However, McDermott was unconcerned at the prospect of not using Watson in his attack after watching left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson tear into the Brisbane nets over the past two days.

“I like where Mitchell is at the moment from an attitude or head space point of view and his pace and seam position,” said McDermott. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2013.

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