It had been coming all summer but when it came it was truly spectacular. He had hinted at an innings of substance throughout the Ashes, but with a top score of 95 and a lowest of 13, Shane Watson would probably consider his test series a failure.
But released from the suffocating grip of Anderson, the red ball and a terminally disillusioned public, he produced the innings of his life to hunt down and surpass in spectacular fashion England’s more than respectable 294. His unbeaten 161 was undoubtedly the difference between the two teams for whom both sets of seamers struggled all day.
England began their innings at a frenetic pace. Davies should have been run out without facing but for Smith’s cack handed flick at the stumps, and went on to survive three more chances including being caught off a no ball from Lee.
Strauss, as has been the case all tour, looked in great nick and when they’d reached 90 from 12 overs with David Hussey introduced during the bowling power play, England looked well set for a big 300+ innings. But Davies attempted to overhit his first ball from the cloyingly sincere but underrated part timer, was bowled, and the innings stagnated.
Trott is currently England’s choice for number 3 which has meant the chop for Collingwood. On current form it’s hard to argue, but somehow the balance of the side looks all wrong without Colly’s dibbly dobblies and Trott doesn’t seem the man to maintain a swift tempo. Today he was caught behind off the rampant Hussey for 6 aiming a late cut. Not a shot that comes naturally to Trott and one born of the necessity to invent when his game is built around a limited number of strokes, mostly into the leg side.
Thereafter a familiar tale of England’s middle order confused by a good start began to unravel. Strauss again failed to go on and was dismissed for 63. Bell looked comfortable until driving airily at Smith (so he does bowl after all), and when Morgan became his second victim England were teetering at 186-5.
Pietersen has been in no sort of form for nearly two years now (his double century at Adelaide notwithstanding) but today he paced his innings well, seizing on the spinners for his big straight sixes and milking the bowlers for singles. But after seeing Yardy go for an unspectacular 9 from 21 balls his frustrations got the better of him. A needless run out to add to a catalogue of needless run outs in his career ensured England could never take full advantage of the batting power play, and despite Bresnan’s sensible 28 from 27 balls and a couple of mighty maximums from Shahzad and Tremlett, one sensed the Aussies had been let off the hook in bowling out England with two balls to spare.
And so it proved. Haddin and Watson, in an eerie reprise of England’s opening partnership, powered to a hundred in the 17th over and promptly lost their lucky wicket keeper whose place is under threat from superior alternatives (for Prior read Paine).
The difference, however, was Watson, who unlike Strauss, kept his head and anchored the innings. In partnership with a desperately out of form Clarke, he piled on 103 runs, never losing his focus (which frankly must have been tough as he watched his skipper wading through treacle and single handedly taking the required rate above 7 an over). The crowd was getting agitated. As the rate crept up they needed a change in tempo and promptly got it as Clarke, disastrously for England, was removed by Bresnan for 36 from 57 balls.
Despite the absurdity of promoting Smith (was this a ploy by Clarke to make himself look better by comparison?) the arrivals of the two Husseys to support Watson ensured a challenging run chase would become a cakewalk and fittingly the much reviled blonde surfer dude all rounder finished off the match with a violent straight six to claim victory by 6 wickets with 5 balls remaining.
It pains me more than I can say to add my compliments to the chorus of approval for Watson. There has been a drip feed of delight in watching him fall short all winter. But today he was matchless. Had he played a stiff legged drive straight to short extra at any stage today, England would probably have won comfortably. True, he was assisted in the latter stages by the Hussey brothers’ remorselessly earnest running, as if they were trying, and succeeding, to impress the games master. But Watson’s innings was the game changer.
On a wicket that was sluggish and which favoured bowlers who took pace of the ball, he had the patience to wait and play into the gaps. His boundaries came at the top and bottom of the innings (12 fours and 4 sixes), and his 161 occupied only 150 balls. Great stuff, but thankfully all too late to secure the Ashes.
So the number one ODI team in the world marches on. They certainly have issues around their seam bowling. Mitchell Johnson was again the epitome of all that infuriates his supporters. Wides, long hops and that anxious furrowed brow do not inspire confidence. Lee is not the bowler he was and in Doherty, Hussey and Smith I’m not sure they have the spinners to retain the World Cup, but they will be a force. The batting is strong, and if Clarke can get out early leaving the bulk of the scoring to Watson, the Husseys and White, they could chase down the massive scores that their bowlers look destined to concede.
As for England, they are badly missing Anderson and Broad. Bresnan had a poor day with the ball and Tremlett doesn’t look yet like a consistently containing limited overs option. Shahzad impressed with his change up slower balls and occasional yorkers, but Swann was again the pick of the bowlers.
To challenge in India, though, I fancy they will need Collingwood to chime in with his cutters, and Trott, perhaps unfairly, needs to be stood down pronto to give the out of form veteran a chance to feel bat on ball. His fielding would also be a boon as Trott, though no slouch, doesn’t have his pace or his sureness of hands.
But today is all about Watson. I won’t say he deserves it; that is step too far, but I must acknowledge his brilliance and take a long, painfully cold shower to wash away the memory.