Watson Targets Return As Specialist Batsman

Watson Targets Return As Specialist Batsman

Shane Watson is aiming to return to the Australian Test team as a specialist batsman

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is to concentrate solely on his batting in a bid to overcome a series of injuries that have limited his playing time and return to the national team.

Watson has taken 252 international wickets but has a long history of injuries, many of them brought about or exacerbated by his bowling.

He missed the recent third Test against Sri Lanka with a calf injury but provided he proves his fitness, he is expected to be picked for the four-Test series in India as a specialist batsman.

"Watto wants to come back as a batsman. He wants to come back into the team with a primary focus of batting," coach Mickey Arthur said.

"He feels every time he bats and then he gets injured bowling, he just loses a bit of momentum with his batting.

"Once he feels his body is going well and that he feels he's cemented his batting position, we will then take another look at how we want to go with Shane in terms of bowling.

"And that's a decision that only Watto can make. We'll be working very closely with him on that, because obviously Shane bowling a couple of overs is really good for us.

"Shane Watson absolutely loves bowling. He still wants to bowl, but his primary focus right now is to make the team as an out-and-out batsman."

© Cricket World 2013