Watson is not willing to become a specialist batsman

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has announced that he is ready to fire on all cylinders and do everything necessary to take his country to the top of the rankings across all three formats.

Watson made another poor start to his Test summer by being ruled out of the first two Tests against South Africa due to a calf injury he sustained during a Sheffield Shield game.

Many Cricket Australia officials were concerned about Watson’s workload and some believe that he should consider giving up bowling in order to concentrate on becoming a specialist batsman, while others thought quitting ODI cricket was the answer for him.

However, contrary to all the ongoing speculation about Watson giving up bowling or quitting ODI cricket, the all-rounder stated that he would be doing neither and added that his workload was just fine.

“Over the last week I’ve been gradually building up my running and my bowling,” Watson said. “I bowled six overs in the nets yesterday…so I’m certainly going to be up to bowling as many overs as Michael [Clarke] wants and probably the normal sort of workload really that I bowl in a Test match. Things have progressed really well over the past week so I’m ready to go.”

During the first two Tests against South Africa, pace duo Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle had to carry an immense amount of pressure and responsibility on their shoulders since Clarke did not have any other back-up pace bowler to look to for wickets.

Watson noted that even if he is made to cut back on the number of overs he bowls during a Test match, he would do it since it will help to take some of the pressure and responsibility off Hilfenhaus, Siddle and Clarke as well.

“I understand that could be a possibility and at the moment that’s the biggest challenge for Ben and Peter for their mammoth effort in second innings to be able to freshen up as quick as they can,” Watson added. “I do understand there will be a possibility of me bowling as many overs as I need to, to be able to help the team hopefully win. But in the end my body is on the condition to be able to do it, so I’m certainly fresh over the past couple of weeks compared to some of the other guys that have been out there.”

Watson achieved a milestone by being sidelined for the second Test at Adelaide, whereby it was the 50th Test match he had missed since making his debut back in 2005.

The all-rounder’s numbers are unbelievable, especially when compared to veteran batsman Michael Hussey, who has not missed even one of the 75 Test matches he has played since making his Test debut in 2005.

However, even though Watson has sustained injuries quite frequently throughout his international cricketing career, he still believes that he is an all-rounder instead of a specialist batsman.

“Not unless something goes very horribly wrong, I wouldn’t want to give up on bowling,” Watson said. “One part I love of the game – I know it puts more pressure on my body to be able to play consistently but it’s something I just love so much and have loved doing since I was an all-rounder since I was a young kid. The ultimate enjoyment for me is to play as an all-rounder. Mentally the injury setbacks are frustrating at times, but it doesn’t take away the love of being able to contribute with bat and ball.”