Watson marks return as Oz opener with 90 against Somerset

Sydney: Former Australian vice-captain Shane Watson has marked his return to the top of the order by scoring a top 90 against county side Somerset and has justified the faith shown in him by new coach Darren Lehmann.

Watson`s innings against Somerset on Thursday was defined by powerful drives, and took just 94 balls, adding that eighty of his runs came in boundaries, and there was barely a false stroke until a leading edge was caught at cover. Watson found a new lease on life in the opener`s spot handed to him for the Ashes, adding that his previous tenure as an opener, from the 2009 Ashes to the 2011 series in South Africa, was a happier time, when then-captain Ricky Ponting used him sparingly with the ball, while his body remained intact. Reaching back to the captaincy of Ponting for the `blueprint` for how he would like to proceed from here, Watson said that the way Ponting used him when he was opening the batting worked properly during his captaincy, adding that he was able to get through a lot of cricket without too many injuries. Hoping to get that period of time back again and get through a lot of cricket without too many injuries, Watson however, said that opening the batting meant that he cannot bowl as much he could have if he was batting in the No. 4 position. Stating that he loves bowling and is confident that he can also contribute in that department, Watson further said that he hoped to have the balance of batting and bowling again to make him a good all-rounder. Although captain Michael Clarke wants Watson to bowl more after shifting him down the order, however Lehmann has told Watson during his first net session as coach that he would return to the top, was just what Watson was hoping for. Stating that he had realised that his make-up as a batsman is more suited to opening the batting, Watson however, said that knowing that he needed to face a brand new ball with the best bowlers coming in gets his energy and sharpness going immediately. According to Watson, he finds it easier to get things going facing the fast bowlers. ANI