Watson out to end his hoodoo at Gabba

BRISBANE - Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is determined to see his team come up with a pre-Ashes confidence-booster against Sri Lanka at the Gabba here on Sunday in the third and one-day cricket international.

Despite being Australia’s most valuable player over the past 12 months, Watson has failed miserably as an opener at the Gabba.

He has scored just 69 runs in nine innings, including five ducks, at a forgettable average of 7.55, The Age reports.

Watson is braced for another tough task due to muggy and wet weather conditions and also Sri Lanka’s seamers getting plenty of movement in their two opening one-day wins.

“There’s no doubt it’s a most challenging place to bat in general. I haven’t had much success here, but hopefully (Sunday) night might be the start of a good summer this year here with the bat,” Watson was quoted, as saying.

Watson said it was crucial the hosts ended their seven-match losing streak in Sunday’s dead rubber.

“There’s no doubt it is important to win and obviously that’s the most important thing,” he said. (ANI)