SHANE WATSON fears Australia’s competitive edge has been blunted since they were told to cut the sledging. Cricket Australia wrote to each member of the touring party ahead of the Ashes series ordering them to tone down the chat because as role models they had to set the right example.
But with England now 1-0 up in the series, fit-again all-rounder Watson warned Australia would pull out all the stops to retain the Ashes. he said: ‘One thing Cricket Australia have said to us is to make sure we know where the line is and don’t cross it. It is a sticky one because of course the general public in Australia want us to be perfect role models and the hardest thing when you play is to be extremely competitive and not cross the line.
‘It is a fine line between being perfect role models and being competitive. As a group we don’t want to lose the edge. That is the reason we have been so good in the past because of how competitive we are and we don’t take a backward step. We have got to make sure we do everything we can to win, in the end, because that is what Cricket Australia and the Australian public do want.’
Watson is set to play against Northamptonshire in a three-day tour match, starting tomorrow, and could be recalled to the side for the third Test at edgbaston in place of out-of-form opener Phil hughes. Watson said: ‘I have tightened up my technique a little bit more. I always believe I have the game and the mental game to bat anywhere in the top order.’
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