Defeat inevitable, losing Ashes horrendous: Watson

MELBOURNE - Australian all-rounder Shane Watson Tuesday said defeat in the ongoing Boxing Day Test is inevitable and said it feels “horrendous” to lose the Ashes.

Australia are on the brink of losing the fourth Test against England and going down 1-2 in the series. The home side was reeling at 169 for six with a 246 runs deficit in the second innings at the end of the third day’s play.

The English are expected to wrap things up Wednesday and retain the Ashes on the Australian soil after 24 years.

“It is horrendous. Going into this Ashes series we knew how important it was going to be to win the Ashes. Australia has not lost the Ashes at home for 24 years so we knew that if we did not win the Ashes it was going to be very disappointing personally to be involved in that type of history,” Watson was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

“After playing so well in Perth, and feeling like we had a big chance to be in the series and winning the Ashes, to be in the position we are after our poor performance in the whole game is very shattering,” he said.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has attracted a huge crowd in favour of both teams and, seeing the imminent defeat, Watson said the team has let down the supporters.

“Also, from the fans side of things, the Australian public, the people who love and support cricket, it is very disappointing to be part of something as not as good as we imagined this series was going to be for us.”

As holders, an England victory will mean they retain the Ashes even if they lose the fifth Test in Sydney.

Watson, however, vowed to bounce back in the fifth Test in Sydney.

“We have got to try and restore some pride in Sydney,” said Watson.

“It has been extremely disappointing to play the way we have in Adelaide and here especially because the Australian fans have come out and supported us.

“We have not given them anything to support and we really do have to go out there in Sydney and try to keep some of our supporters and fans on side because unfortunately the way we have played we might have turned a few people off so we have to try and restore that.