The Australians need to play their aggressive brand of cricket and be at their absolute best if they are to beat India in the second Test match, visiting all-rounder Shane Watson said on Thursday.
Watson, who is featuring in the team only as a batsman these days, said their side is determined to do well after suffering a heavy defeat in the series-opener in Chennai.
“We need to win this Test match. We need to be certainly at our absolute best to beat India. They played very well in the first Test. Ashwin bowled beautifully in those conditions and MS Dhoni batted unbelievably well to take the game away from our reach. So we have to be certainly at our absolute best,” Watson said after team’s practice session here.
“We need to play our aggressive brand of cricket where we are best as a 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 are really up for the contest,” he added.
Watson did not reveal if Australia will play an extra spinner in the second Test match, beginning Saturday.
“I think that is something selectors are weighing at the moment. No doubt that India’s game plan in Chennai was significantly different from ours as we saw in the second innings when their quick bowlers hardly had four or five overs which is a big contrast to what our team did. Option are going to be there. We have a game plan and have a team which can succeed,” he said.
Watson seems to be happy with the wicket being offered for the second Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
“I think this will be really good cricketing wicket. The wicket here has always been good cricketing wicket. May be pace and bounce for the quicks and the batsman as well. It looks like it will turn at some stage. Really nice cricketing wicket,” the strapping player said.
Watson, who has been effective as bowler as well for the Australians, said he missed bowling in the Chennai Test.
“I did miss bowling in the last Test match, especially on the day when Dhoni started taking the game away from us in a way. I give up my bowling to get continuity with my batting and do some strength and fitness work that I had been doing over the last one month. I will continue for next three months then we will start bowling again.”
“I do enjoy opening the batting. At this point my role is at number four and I feel I have a good job to do there.”
Watson also admitted that they learnt something from India during the first Test.
“I think we have learnt a lot from how India played in Chennai. It was a great as team and as an individual.”
