Watson singles out ‘rookie’ Finn as Australia’s No.1 Ashes target
By ANITuesday, August 24, 2010
SYDNEY - Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has stepped up the pre-Ashes mudslinging with an attack on England fast bowler Steve Finn.
Watson identified Finn as the England team’s weak link, saying that the 21-year-old has never played in or against Australia.
Finn has 28 wickets at an average of 24 runs from seven Tests, but was rested during the recent ODI series against Australia in England.
“We can really try and make the most of his inexperience and also his inexperience of being out in Australia,” The Herald Sun quoted Watson, as saying.
“I think he is someone that we can really try and put a lot of pressure on. If he bowls anywhere near a loose ball, I want to put it away.”
“It’s also about making him bowl a lot of overs as well. If he gets it slightly wrong, and he is very inexperienced, then he is going to really feel the pressure,” he added.
The 29-year-old further said that England’s decision to shield Finn from Australia could backfire.
“By them resting him during the (English) summer and us not seeing him during the one-dayers - no doubt he will feel the pressure. It is so foreign - he doesn’t know what to expect in Australia,” Watson said.
“They can use (Australian) Kookaburra balls in training in England, but it is very different to how the wickets are going to react out here and also the conditions here,” he added. (ANI)
