Mentors put Watson on flight to England

Shane Watson has relied on four Australian greats to help lift him on to his first Ashes tour. Watson, who has struggled regularly with injuries, has looked to Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh and Greg Chappell to put him on the right track after numerous setbacks.

"I've been very lucky to have those guys around me," Watson said in the Sunday Mail. "I'm very blessed to have had some of the greats of world cricket to communicate with and support me because those guys have gone through different scenarios in their career and came out the other end to be on top of the cricket world."

He said the hints and advice had helped with his frame of mind. "I'm very close to Glenn McGrath, I've had quite a number of chats to him about the direction I want to go and what I want to do," he said. "Glenn has been amazing for me. It's just his strength of character. He's just such a positive person and that's rubbed off."

Waugh also provided a boost during a discussion with Watson on mental strength. "He's talked to me about the power of the mind and what you can achieve when you set your mind on things," he said.

At the Centre of Excellence Greg Chappell stepped up to alter Watson's technique and Warne has chipped in with his thoughts on the allrounder's bowling. Now all Watson, who was named in the 16-man Ashes squad on Wednesday, has to do is overcome a minor groin strain to take his place in England.

"I feel like I've scratched the surface of my ability," he said. "I feel like there is only my best cricket ahead of me and I want to prove that in England."