Watson banks on IPL experience for Test success

	Shane Watson is aiming to make a successful return to Test cricket © AFP

Shane Watson, the Australian allrounder, hopes his experience of Indian conditions during the IPL will help his case for Test selection next month. Watson, who was the Player of the Series in the IPL, felt he could chip in with short but high-impact spells of bowling as well as propping up the batting.

He was picked in the Test squad when Andrew Symonds was not considered and he has been backed by Ricky Ponting, who felt he could make his comeback in the first Test in Bangalore. "I have played some cricket in different Test grounds in India during the IPL and that should give me confidence," said Watson, who scored 472 runs and took 17 wickets for the Rajasthan Royals.

"What my bowling does give is a bit of impact, especially more so on the fourth and fifth day of a Test when I know I can come in, give it all I have got and have a bit of a crack. I know playing against the Indians here, it's a good way to challenge them, physically and mentally, not sledging but having an aggressive persona about you, and that's the way I play my cricket."

Despite being around the Australia setup for six years, Watson has played only three Tests as persistent injuries, mainly to his hamstring and shoulder, limited his output. He missed the 2006-07 Ashes and was replaced by Symonds, a situation now reversed after Symonds was dropped on disciplinary grounds.

"It is amazing how things do change," Watson said. "I hope Andrew gets back because I love the way he plays and I know what he can give, but I have got to make the most of the opportunity."

Part of this streamlined, more modern version of Watson is his own attitude - he now has more realistic expectations of what he can achieve on the field. He realises that as the fourth pace option he is unlikely to send down more than 15 to 20 overs an innings.

"I always wanted to be the genuine all-rounder that bowled 20 or 30 overs and then come out and make a hundred," he said. "I've realised there is no one in the world who does that, very rarely anyway. Andrew Flintoff does it occasionally, but it's really hard to do it back-to-back."

Watson has made a success of the one-day opening role that he has been offered this year and the challenge is now to transfer that form to Test cricket. He has had a relatively injury-free run over the past nine months and Australia's coach Tim Nielsen said there were good signs during the recent limited-overs series in the Caribbean.

"We've just been really pleased with the way he came through the West Indies tour," Nielsen told AAP. "He's been able to cope with a couple of physical setbacks and keep playing which is a real positive for him and for us."