Shane Watson must shine with bat and ball for Australia today

The Australian side suddenly found its troubles compounded with pace spearhead Brett Lee returning home with an elbow problem.
Wicketkeeper is Tim Paine already home with a broken finger. With James Hopes also out of today's third ODI against India, skipper Ricky Ponting surely has a lot on his plate.

Shane Watson, who came to India with back-to-back unbeaten centuries in the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa, has had a forgettable tour so far. But with Hopes out, Paine and Lee back home, the Aussie think-tank, particularly skipper Ponting will count on Watson to fire as an all-rounder.

Ready for everything
Watson said he is prepared to do that role for Australia.
"I love being an all-rounder. You are so much involved in the game in that capacity," Watson said, adding that if you miss out in batting you can make it up by crafting a useful contribution with the ball.

Lately, however, Watson's form has been a big cause for worry. In the two matches that he has played, he has scored only five and 19 opening the batting for Australia. Bowling his medium pace, he has managed just two wickets and has been rather expensive. However, the all-rounder feels that he has been around on the international scene for some time now to deal with ups and downs.

"There is not much pressure really. I have been around for eight years. I suppose it is my turn now to make the most of the experience and the learning that I have had to stand up and deliver and help the Australian team out," Watson said, adding that he has the game and technique to handle situations.
u00a0
The wicket that has been dished out for today's third ODI at the Feroze Shah Kotla is just the kind cricketers like Watson would flourish on. Watson has about five slow deliveries to back his normal stuff.

On a wicket that is widely predicted to stay low and slow, using variations - even exhausting themu00a0- will be the key. And Watson, aware that he has to stand and be counted, is prepared for that challenge because his role in the team's affairs has changed a lot since the time he made his international debut.

"Earlier, I bowled first change or second change and batted at number seven or eight. But now I am more involved. I am expected to do a lot more. I open the batting and am expected to get them off to a good start. I bowl first change and am expected to bear a lot more of the burden. It is a great challenge for me and I am enjoying it."