does, it’s worth gold and makes him very effective,” he says. “There are two types of opening batsman, the type that gets a start, makes the most of it and makes a big score, then you have the type who doesn’t get out early but doesn’t get big scores too often. Watson is in the second category, but if you can’t have the first category I’m happy with the second category. The flaw is that he doesn’t get a lot of hundreds, but he makes up for that in other ways. So long as he doesn’t get out quickly, the guys batting around him are never under pressure to score quickly themselves.”
Chappell is not keen to see Watson increase his bowling workload, however, adding: “The more bowling he’s got to do the more it means the Australian attack isn’t performing as well as you would hope. Watson should be used the way he’s been used in the last 12 to 18 months, purely as a change bowler, a few overs here and then he’s off. Anything you do with him that takes him away from opening the batting effectively would be counter-productive.”
When he picked up the Allan Border Medal in February last year, the annual prize awarded to Australia’s top cricketer, Watson fought back tears. His partner Lee Furlong, a TV presenter whom he has since married, beamed in the audience as her man, clad in a designer suit and with his hair perfectly coiffured, thanked a range of people who had helped rebuild his career. Among them was Victor Popov, the Brisbane physiotherapist who transformed Watson’s training regime. No more pumping weights in the gym to make those rippling muscles even bigger; instead a gentler schedule of pilates and stretching was ordered. Where there was once an occasional beer or two to unwind, now there was a strict teetotal regime.
To the unreconstructed Australian sports fan, Watson is thus something of an anomaly-and it helps explain the paradox that he does not meet with universal approval in his own country. The Australian blogger Jarrod Kimber really sticks the boot in, writing recently: “It takes real talent to be hated when you are pathetic and just as despised when you are good. Even those who have the talent to get to this level of hatred could never do it as well as Shane Watson. When not in front of the mirror, he seems to be able to move 95% of cricket fans into a frenzy of hate, pure detestation, clear revulsion, and a general uneasy sickness of rage.” So he continues, belittling his bowling action by likening it to the movements of “an elderly man getting out of a car”. England’s bowlers will have all sorts of strategies lined up for him when the First Test starts at his home ground, the Gabba. Whether they fall into the camp of being admirers or haters of ‘Watto’ is not strictly relevant. Nevertheless, the renaissance of Watson, and the manner in which it has been received, provides an intriguing backdrop to the opening salvos.
DAY 17: 19 November 2010
Finally, after three weeks in the country, the first sledging article appears in the Australian newspapers. And it’s a cracker! ‘Ten Reasons why the Poms are Duds’ is the headline, alongside a full page photograph of Kevin Pietersen who, thanks to his ‘Movember’ moustache – the month formerly known as November is a moustache growing charity event held each year that raises funds and awareness for men’s health – suddenly looks terribly camp, as if he is a member of the 1970s band YMCA. It should be noted that Mitchell Johnson has also grown a particularly fine specimen. The ten ‘weaknesses’ are 1) Over-rated 2) Pietersen 3) No genuine speedster 4) Over-analysis 5) Passive captain 6) No depth 7) No superstars 8) Chokers 9) Warm-ups 10) Scars. Unfortunately for the writer concerned, he refers to Panesar as an off-spinner which does little for the credibility of the piece, but it is much more like the sort of reception England cricket teams should expect in this part of the world. Some of the points are reasonable enough – England do lack a genuine fast bowler, someone who can turn on three or four overs of real pace like Andrew Flintoff used to do. South Africa were able to score frustrating lower order runs last winter because their tailenders were not intimidated, and that might be an area of concern this time too. However, Australia do not have an out-and-out fast bowler either. Pietersen a weakness? Unpredictable, maybe, but I would never consider KP to be a weakness in the team or a ‘pain in the neck’ as he was described in the article. And when it comes to lacking depth, I would rather have England’s back-up resources than Australia’s. But here I am letting this article wind me up, which is entirely the aim of the writer. I should have more experience than that!
On the field, Bell simply carries on where he left off yesterday in the company of Collingwood. Their partnership is worth 240 when Collingwood is caught behind playing a pull shot for 89 -the second time he has missed out on a century in ten days. Here he has batted more smoothly than he did at Adelaide – regardless of what he says! Prior times the ball beautifully, but his dismissal is disappointing and again is a case of impatience. He breezes to 27 from 31 balls but slices a drive to backward point off the leg spinner, Smith. This was Prior’s one opportunity and he has given it away.
England pile on the runs with the lead well over 250 when Bell gets out for 192. He drives Smith to extra cover and now seems a likely time for Strauss to declare the innings closed. But he chooses not to and instead gives Bresnan and the lower order the opportunity to plunder some quick runs against a flagging attack – none more so than poor old George who finishes with 0/135. It is an interesting tactic – had Strauss chosen to declare earlier he would have increased the likelihood of England having a second innings and giving Trott and Pietersen another hit. But he had gone on record at the outset, saying he wants to win every match on the tour, and this massive lead of 293 should ensure England win by a big margin.
They take three wickets before the close of play with Australia A still 165 runs behind. It is a change to recent encounters when, I have to say it, Australia’s reserves were much stronger than this. It is another sign of the wheel turning down here, but has it turned far enough yet?
I have a rare evening in, during which my Twitter companions introduce me to the talents of young singer Jessie J. Sometimes on tour it is nice just to lock yourself away and have a quiet one.
DAY 18: 20 November 2010
It all seems to be going terribly well, doesn’t it? England beat Australia A by 10 wickets, needing to knock off just 9 runs. They have completely dominated the game, helped by a good toss to win on the first morning. These matches are usually much more competitive. Panesar gets amongst the wickets today, so every reserve bowler has had a good run out. If there is an injury before the Brisbane Test, I reckon Bresnan would get the nod if it were Anderson in trouble, and Tremlett if either Broad or Finn is ruled out. Cameron White’s century is good timing, as there are still rumblings from around the Australian camp that Michael Clarke is struggling with his chronic back complaint, and neither of the reserves, Khawaja (out first ball today) or Ferguson (10) made the most of their opportunities.
That’s it, preparations over. Hobart is lovely, but is time to move on to Brisbane.
DAY 19: 21 November 2010
I interview KP before we all leave Tasmania. I compliment him on his thickening charity moustache and he gives me one of his thoughtful and insightful chats. Sometimes he can be a rather irritable and impatient interviewee, but he is on good form today. I especially like his description of the video analysis of the Australian players that England will now focus on as they build up to the Test. This will include, of course, Xavier Doherty, who KP admits to have never seen bowl a ball. I mention that some people are suggesting that the left arm spinner has been chosen merely to get him out (as mentioned earlier, it has happened fifteen times in Test cricket), Kevin scoffs at the thought. “Right arm seam bowlers have got me out many more times than left arm spinners.”
It is a three-hour flight to Brisbane and every member of the travelling media is aboard. This time we are better off than the team, who have to transit in Sydney. Undoubtedly, there is a tremendous sense of anticipation among members of the press pack – even the most experienced, and by definition most cynical, members seem to be genuinely intrigued about what is to unfold. The coming week is why we do this job.
It is a cloudy
