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England’s bowling coach David Saker says the team will focus its energy on getting Shane Watson out, after the opener plundered 161 not out at the MCG on Sunday.
Saker, who played eight seasons of first class cricket in Australia, including two alongside Watson in Tasmania, said the bowling group would play closer attention to the allrounder in the lead-up to Friday’s second one-dayer in Hobart.
“As we know, Shane Watson’s innings was pretty special, and it wouldn’t have mattered who was bowling to him,” Saker told reporters in Hobart.
“We’re going to have to focus on him quite a lot and find a downfall and get him out.
“The other day, we had a chance to get him out. We missed it, and hopefully the next time we get a chance that won’t happen.”
Saker said the team’s hierarchy wasn’t panicking about the team’s bowlers, despite the six-wicket loss in the series opener.
“It wasn’t our best performance of the tour, but there were some pretty good positives out of it,” he said.
“We had pretty young players taking their place in the game, so they’re going to keep learning and hopefully get better with it.”
Saker said struggling batsman Paul Collingwood would still have a role to play in the series.
“Paul’s just out of form a little bit at the moment,” he said.
“I’m sure he’ll be able to bounce back. He’s an important player in our squad. He adds a lot to our game.
“I think we really missed his energy in the field the other night, so that’s another element. He’s also good with the ball, so if he can get some form with the bat, he’ll come into contention for selection.”
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