Shane Watson said on Monday he is confident he will be fit for this month’s opening Ashes Test against England despite suffering from a hamstring problem. The powerful all-rounder will have scans later in the day on what he believes may be a fascial tear, before discussing the results with Cricket Australia’s medical staff and working out how best to prepare for the Brisbane Test, which starts on November 21.
“It’s not too bad,” Watson told reporters at Sydney airport. “I’ve had a few niggles like this even over the last eight or nine months, so hopefully it won’t be too bad at all or put me out for too long.
“My body’s really adjusting to bowling, it’s just an unfortunate little hiccup. Being here, it’ll give me a week or two to be able to hopefully freshen up and (be) ready to go for the first Test.”
Asked if he had any doubts about whether he would be involved in the series opener, Watson said: “I’d never say ‘no doubt’ but I’ve been able to get on top of this sort of thing over the last eight or nine months.”
arb0 nIJIJ IJrIJ IJRoot played well at lord’s but I don’t think he is an opener because of his technique. Australia found him out and especially in Australian conditions he would get found out more,” Warne said.
“You cannot hang back and get stuck on the crease in Australia because of the pace of the wickets ... It could be crucifying to have him facing Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson on fast, bouncy pitches,” he added.
Michael Vaughan, who captained England to their first Ashes series win for 19 years in 2005, responded by describing Cook as “outstanding” and refuting Warne’s claims that Australia captain Michael Clarke is the best leader in world cricket.
Vaughan tweeted: “Take your blinkers off @warne888 .. How can M.Clarke be the best Captain in the World when his team doesn’t win Cricket matchesIJIJIJ #fact.
“Most of captaincy is about what we don’t see...Getting the culture right behind the scenes... Cook is Outstanding in this department..“Clarke is a very good tactician.. But does he get the most important part of the job right @warne888 .. Creating the right environmentIJIJ
“Put George Bailey and Clarke in a blender and that would be the best Aussie Captain @warne888 ..”Warne then responded, tweeting: “@MichaelVaughan Here’s a question for you. If a world 11 was picked today who would CaptainIJ @MClarke23 is the answer, best tactical Capt.”