Watson Wins, Australia Loses

Despite a patient century from Aussie opener Shane Watson, Pakistan have won the final game of the 5 match series in Abu Dhabi.

The match may have been a dead rubber, but Australia’s chances of clinching another victory were dealt a blow by the man who on paper played a superb innings.

Shane Watson notched up his 2nd one day international century and in doing so halted his team’s charge to a big score on what was a fairly flat pitch. For the most part of his innings Watson was going at a run a ball, but as soon as his hundred seemed in reach he slowed right down and took no risks. His 116 came off 146 balls – way too slow in the circumstances. Compare that to Pakistani keeper Kamran Akmal’s knock of the same score which came off only 115 balls and it could be inferred that the difference in these two innings made the difference in the end result.

It is obvious that Watson thought he needed to make a huge statement to the selectors while he had the chance in order to retain his spot in the team, it is why he showed such caution and determination to get that 100th run. But would the selectors have been more impressed by an attempt to get the Aussie total moving along to a more competitive score?

The batting power play was called at 35 overs. The field was brought in and the spinners came into the attack from both ends. They kept it tight and Watson failed to hit through the field while he refused to risk going over the top. The power play was wasted.

I am a big Shane Watson fan. I think his batting alone is enough for a place in the Australian ODI team and possibly even the test team. His bowling is also valuable and if he’s fit enough its a huge bonus. Watson would have gained a lot from this innings. He got the century he wanted and when he fronts up in England for the next ODI there will be less pressure on him to retain his spot. There are big things to come from him and although he blindly hampered Australia in this game for his own good he will be back, and will set up or win many games for Australia over the next couple of years.