I am at my best when having fun: Watson

Right from the time he emerged as one of the most promising genuine allrounders in the game, Watson has been in and out of the Aussies team through injuries, reports Anand Vasu.

Stress fractures of the back, hamstring hassles, side strains, shoulder dislocations, a calf injury, food poisoning … Shane Watson has seen it all in his career already. Right from the time he emerged as one of the most promising genuine allrounders in the game, Watson has been in and out of the Australian team through injuries. Now, as he was set to replace Andrew Symonds, Watson suffered a near sleepless night in Hyderabad and has taken ill with a viral infection. The Australians are taking no chances in their bid to get Watson up and running in time for the Test. The situation is a familiar one for Watson, but he hopes the outcome will be different from the past.

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Excerpts:

On replacing Andrew Symonds

Andrew has done really well and in Test cricket especially in the last couple of years. For me it's just a great opportunity to look forward to. I don't see it as any extra pressure. Hopefully I can fulfill my role within the team.

On dealing with being in and out of the team through injury

I've been working extremely hard on a number of different things in the last year. I've changed some of my training techniques. Physically I'm in the best condition I have been in, in my whole career. I'm always trying to improve, whether it is technique, mental or physical. Obviously in my case the accent has been on the physical aspect, just to get myself in shape to achieve the kind of things I want to. My injuries gave Symonds an opportunity in Test cricket and he's done extremely well. Now I have to try and make the most of this opportunity. I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. When I'm having fun I'll be at my best, so that's all I'm going to ask of myself. Previously I put of a lot of pressure on myself but now I know better.

On whether there’s any way to be mentally prepared to deal with being in and out of the team

It's something you go through and learn. There's no template of how to handle these situations. Every time I've been in a situation where I am out of the team or injured I have had to learn how to deal with it. Some times are tougher than others but in the end you come out a much better person and a much better player, and that's all you can ask for.

On what was most frustrating

The last year was the most frustrating. As soon as I felt I was close to an opportunity I would get injured. In a way my body was letting me down. It can be tough at times but the most important thing that I got out of it was how much I love playing cricket. When that's taken away from me it shatters me. So now I try and enjoy it as much as I can.

Is it also frustrating to consider he would have played much more cricket anyway if he was anywhere other than Australia where there is so much competition?

It's not frustrating. That's part and parcel of pushing to play for Australia. I don't know any other way. It's great when I get an opportunity to play with guys like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matt Hayden and Ricky Ponting. It's hard to get into the team but once you do you have a great bunch of guys helping you out.