Feels like I'm back again - Watson..
ESPNcricinfo staff February 6, 2013
Australia opener Shane Watson was relieved to have grabbed the opportunity to "spend some time in the middle" and score a century in Canberra, after his layoff due to the injury he sustained in the Boxing Day Test. Watson's knock of 122 took Australia to a series victory against West Indies, and he said it gave him confidence ahead of the India tour.
"I was starting to worry a little bit that I might not have enough form going into the Indian series," he said after the game. "But it's nice to be able to spend some time in the middle today and bat for a longer period of time to feel like I'm back again a bit. It's nice to be able to feel like you've got it still."
Watson's decision to cut out his bowling has threatened to make his selection in the Test XI for the India series tougher, but a smooth batting wicket helped his cause in his comeback game.
"In one-day cricket and Twenty20 cricket, you've got plenty of freedom, on nearly very good batting wickets as well. It certainly makes it a bit easier when the wicket's nice and true."
The century, with regards to his attitude, Watson said, wasn't different to any he had scored in Tests, where he has largely struggled to convert his 80s and 90s into hundreds. He has scored between 78 and 97 eight times in his Test career.
"The more I [create chances of a century] I suppose in any form of the game, the more chances I've got of converting those scores into the bigger ones. That's something that I've seen Michael [Clarke] do unbelievable well over the last year. Today was one of those steps along the line, just to be able to clear my mind like I did for a majority of my innings."
