Watson hoping against hopes for return

Melbourne, March 5

Shane Watson’s spectacular decline as Australia’s premier all-rounder has not yet robbed him of his self-belief and the 33-year-old blond is still hopeful of making a comeback in the World Cup team. Watson paved way for James Faulkner in Wednesday’s 275-run romp against Afghanistan. He watched form the sidelines as David Warner threatened to erase his Australian ODI record of 185 not out before falling seven runs short.

By then, Warner and Steve Smith, who stroked 97 at Watson’s number three position, had bettered the Queenslander’s 252-run stand with Ricky Ponting that stood as the highest Australian ODI partnership for any wicket.

Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh have overtaken him in the all-rounders’ pecking order and Watson, without an ODI century since his ninth in Oct. 2013, knew whom to blame. “I know I haven’t scored enough runs, so I’ve only got myself to blame. That’s the way it goes,” he told reporters before flying to Sydney where Australia face Sri Lanka on Sunday. “I believe in myself and my own abilities. If an opportunity comes along, I’ll be ready to go.”

Only an injury to Faulkner or Marsh could seemingly force Watson’s return to the playing XI and if that happens, the all-rounder said he would give his best. “There are things I’ve made adjustments on even before I got dropped to try to improve and give myself a better chance to score runs and perform.” — Reuters