Watson amazed at ‘night-watchman’ Anderson’s ’selfish’ behaviour in Perth Test

SYDNEY - Australian all rounder Shane Watson has accused England pacer James Anderson of being selfish by failing to take the strike from Paul Collingwood for the last ball of day three in Perth Test.

Watson described the decisive wicket of Collingwood as one of the best moments he had experienced in a cricket match because it had highlighted the consequences of non-striker Anderson’s refusing to take a single on the second-last ball of the day.

“As everyone knows, Jimmy Anderson’s been quite talkative on the field. We know the quality of what he does with the ball as well and I think the English have [told him] to get under our skins as much as he can,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

“It was nice to be able to turn it around a little bit. It was actually quite enjoyable to see him not take that single with Collingwood on the second-last ball of day [three], and then for [Collingwood] to get out the last ball was quite enjoyable - one of my best moments on the cricket field,” Watson said.

He said his satisfaction was derived from “the banter that’s been going around over the past three Tests. And [also] to see Jimmy not help out his mate. As a nightwatchman, I thought their job was to protect the main batsman that was in.”

Watson, whose average as an opening batsman is more than 50, said he was rapt to have made 95 in difficult second-innings conditions and cited Chris Tremlett as the visitors’ most dangerous bowler.

The all-rounder also dismissed the suggestion that his sound batting in Perth was influenced by Ricky Ponting’s decision not to use him as a bowler in the match. (ANI)