JOIN USWith the fifth one-dayer here a highly unlikely starter, Australia, leading 2-1, can close the series with another win.
Shane Watson agreed an effectively five-match series worked well for the visitors. “In the end, to get a five-match series is normally a bit more enjoyable anyway,” noted the all-rounder. “So the rains made it that way. It really makes the game in Nagpur extremely important to try and close out the series,” he noted.
While the series victory is quite a possibility, Australia can’t displace India from the number one ranking as they had to win six of the seven scheduled matches. Watson, however, was more than happy with just the series win. “To be able to win a series in India in any format of the game is a huge challenge and it will be a great achievement. We're just going to have to continue to play some really good cricket. We've been batting really well especially throughout these first three games. Everyone's looking forward to hopefully putting a perfect game together,” he remarked.
Watson, an integral part of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, said his knowledge of India and their players was helping the entire team. “I have played a lot of cricket here especially against the Indian players both in the IPL and internationals. I've certainly got an idea about what they do and what they're trying to do but also the conditions as well. I've been trying to help out as much as I possibly can with the batters and the bowlers to give them an insight into the things that I've learnt after playing Indian teams so much.
Hopefully it's added some value in some way to be able to help the guys out in some way and give them the best opportunity to be able to perform like they have been,” he explained.
The 32-year-old shared his thoughts on strategies to win in India. “It's important to get our match-ups right when we're bowling against their batsmen,” he pointed out. “I think we've matched up really well. Mitchell Johnson provides a big X-factor for us. There are a couple of guys who aren't as comfortable against the short ball compared to some of their other players.”