Watson not worried about injuries

Shane Watson is not concerned at overburdening his injury-prone body despite increasing his workload with extra cricket commitments during the off-season. Watson has signed up for a Twenty20 stint with Hampshire and he is hoping to be part of the Indian Premier League, which kicks off next month.

His fitness worries continued this season with further hamstring problems, the latest of which occurred during a four-day game in late January. He did manage seven Pura Cup appearances, although he has had no international action since the ICC World Twenty20 in September.

Watson said the best way to put his injuries behind him was to keep playing as much cricket as possible. "I'm probably most excited about the prospects of continuing to play some cricket," Watson said. "I've enjoyed the past month or so with Queensland and would like to keep that going.

"I've missed a fair bit over the past two seasons so I'm keen to keep playing for as long as I can during the off-season. Hopefully all going to plan, I can play in the IPL, head off to Hampshire and then have a break before enjoying a good pre-season with the Bulls."

His Hampshire stint is locked in and he is set to be part of the second IPL auction, to take place on Tuesday in Mumbai. Watson will be joined in the sale by his Queensland team-mate James Hopes, who says playing in the Twenty20 tournament would give his cricket a boost.

"It can't help but make you a better player, especially with the quality of teams they seem to be assembling," Hopes said. "Hopefully there's a spot somewhere for me."