It can't get worse than India 2013: Watson

The Sydney Thunder star also reminded selectors not to forget that the blueprint of the most recent successful Australian team on the subcontinent played just one slow bowler. But despite the likelihood of two spinners playing in next month’s series against the world No.1 nation, Watson remains confident of an improved showing on their 4-0 whitewash in 2013. That tour was best remembered for when Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were handed a one-Test ban for disciplinary breaches. 

“It really can’t get any worse than what it was in 2013,” Watson said. “So that’s a good starting point because that’s as bad as it can get, players getting suspended from a Test match. I’m sure that won’t happen this time.” Selectors on Sunday opted to take three tweakers to India, including uncapped leg-spinner Mitch Swepson, and all-rounders Ashton Agar and Glenn Maxwell in their 16-man squad. But Watson recalled how the 2004-05 squad triumphed off the back of pace trio Glenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie working with spin king Shane Warne. 

“Obviously the way that you win over there is through spin bowling, but not necessarily just only spin bowling,” Watson said. “The time the Aussie team won in 2004, they only had Shane Warne and three quick bowlers. “It’s more so just playing to your absolute strengths, playing your best players, who’ve got the best chance of being able to play in those extreme conditions than what we’re used to.” Watson backed young opener Matt Renshaw to do well in India. “He knows his game incredibly well and I’m sure he’ll just stick to his game plan like he did in the Test matches he’s played,” Watson said.

Former India all-rounder Sriram Sridharan rejoined the Australian cricket team as a spin consultant for their upcoming fourTest tour in the subcontinent, starting February 23. Sridharan’s appointment as a part of the support staff comes a day after Cricket Australia (CA) appointed former English left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for the same role. Sridharan, who worked with the national side on their tour of Sri Lanka last year as well as the World T20 in India, will travel to Dubai with some of the Australia players on January 29 to train at the International Cricket Council Academy. Sridharan, who played eight ODIs for India, said he was excited at the prospect of working with the Australian team again. 

“As always, I consider it a great honour to be given the opportunity to work with the Australian team once again. I really look forward to adding value and contributing to a winning cause, against a quality opposition. India is regarded as one of the toughest places to tour as a Test playing nation and I am looking forward to the challenge,” the former TN player said.