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Watson fit to bowl in fifth Test

Roar Guru
17th August, 2013
9

Shane Watson is planning to bowl at training in London on Monday and is on track to perform his allrounder duties for Australia in the fifth Test at The Oval.

The 32-year-old was struck down by a groin injury during the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street and was unable to bowl past his seventh over of the second innings.

However, Watson has recovered quickly and was untroubled in his innings of 45 from 44 balls in the Australians’ drawn tour match against England Lions in Northampton on Saturday.

That’s good news for Australia, given Watson has bowled 81 overs in four Tests and has been key in applying pressure and assisting the three quicks.

Watson said he’ll build his bowling load and confidence up with a view to contributing in the Test starting on Wednesday.

“The injury I got during the Test match is something that just occasionally pops up in my groin so it’s something that does settle down pretty quickly,” Watson said.

“Hopefully I’ll be bowling and building it up to be able to make sure I can do a job in the Test match.

“The plan is at the moment to be able to bowl on Monday and make sure I’m confident.”

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Watson credited Australian doctor Peter Brukner, who joined the side this year, for improving the durability of his body.

He said the groin problems he gets aren’t as serious as the calf and hamstring injuries that have troubled him in the past, but praised Brukner for speeding up his recovery times.

“The great thing here is the doctor we’ve got is someone who has made a significant difference to my body,” Watson said.

“The techniques he’s using to be able to release the tension that builds up in muscles has made a huge difference throughout this whole series so far.”

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