Ponting aims to bowl Watson more in Ashes series

BIRMINGHAM - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is aiming to bowl all-rounder Shane Watson more in the remaining two Ashes tests at the Headingly and The Oval.

Watson passed his bruising initiation at the top of the order with flying colours as he followed up his 62 in the first innings with 53 to set up Australia’s match-saving performance in the third Test at Edgbaston.

But the recalled all-rounder looked some way off his best at the bowling crease (0-23 off three overs) as Andrew Flintoff feasted on his tame medium-pace offerings.

“I think he will do a lot more bowling in the next game,” Ponting said, adding “If I had have bowled him at different places he might have bowled more too (at Edgbaston).

“I think he can manage both roles well, if he happens to make big runs he might have to bowl fewer overs in that innings,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting, as saying.

Watson’s batting performances suggest Phillip Hughes might have wait a bit longer for another crack at the top of Australia’s batting order than had been expected. (ANI)