We have to play at our absolute best: Watson

Hyderabad, Feb 28 (IANS) Australian batsman Shane Watson has said his side would have to play at their absolute best to win the second Test against India starting here Saturday.

He also believes that the team would have to play its aggressive brand of cricket to do well in the series, after losing the first Test at Chennai.

“We need to win this Test match. There is no doubt. We need to be certainly at our absolute best to beat India,” he told reporters after the visitors had a practice session at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here Thursday.

“We really need to play our aggressive brand of cricket where we are best as team. We need to find a way to make sure that we play that brand of cricket. We will be making sure as a team go out there and make sure that we really up for the contest,” he said.

“I think we have learnt a lot from how India played in Chennai. It was a great learning as a team and as an individual,” he added.

About the wicket, Watson said it looked really nice which may also turn at some stage.

“I think the wicket is little bit dry than what it normally is for 20-20 and one-dayers. I think it might turn a little bit at some stage. There may be pace and bounce for the quicks.”

Watson was confident that selectors would announce the playing eleven today or tomorrow after looking. Asked if the team was looking for one more spinner, he said this is something selectors are weighing at the moment.

“India’s game plan in Chennai was significantly different from ours as we saw in the second inning when their quick bowlers hardly bowled four or five overs.”

Watson said he would not change very much the way he batted in the first Test but admitted that he would have to spend little more time in the middle to continue to show his intent. He also said he was working to improve his game especially against spinners.

“There is a pressure to score runs because you are primarily picked up as a batsman. My role in top four or five is to make runs no matter whether I am bowling or not,” he said when asked if there is a pressure to score runs.

Watson said though he enjoy opening the batting, he was happy with the new role at No.4.

Watson said he missed bowling in Chennai Test especially on the day when Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dohni started taking the game away from them.

Watson, who is not bowling due to fitness problem, said he would continue to focus on fitness for next three months before bowling again.

IANS 2013-02-28 16:48:13