Lee, Watson closer to fitness

Australia have not tasted success in a Twenty20 fixture for four months so any victory, even in a practice match against Bangladesh, will not be sneezed at. But as encouraging as the batting segment of their 38-run win at Trent Bridge was, by far the more important development for Australia was the performance of Shane Watson and Brett Lee; a duo whose recovery from injury could go far to determining the tourists' fortunes in World Twenty20 and Ashes campaigns this summer.

Watson was again withheld from bowling duties, but remains hopeful of fulfilling his all-round ambitions in the World Twenty20 proper. His batting, however, was from the very top shelf and provided further evidence that, after several unconvincing auditions, Australia have found the limited-overs opener they have sought since the retirements of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

Watson continued his sparkling touch from the recent series against Pakistan, hitting firmly through the line en route to a brisk 52 off 23 deliveries. His 100-run opening stand with Brad Haddin provided Australia with the platform from which to post an intimidating 219 for 6 in what was comfortably their best Twenty20 performance of the year. With the back and groin injuries that have blighted his 2009 campaign seemingly behind him, Watson is hopeful of reaching full fitness in the next fortnight.

"That's the plan," Watson said, when asked whether he would be available to bowl in Australia's World Twenty20 opener against West Indies. "It's just building up over this week to be right to go for the first game. It was great to be able to get out and have a run around today and continue that confidence building.

"I've been very excited to be able to get back over here and be a part of the Twenty20 and the Ashes squad as well. It's a really exciting time for myself and I'm really enjoying my time over here. To get a few runs in the first game is a nice little confidence booster."

Lee might not have possessed the clinical execution of Watson, but the veteran paceman will nonetheless be satisfied to have completed another incident-free outing. Foot and ankle surgeries in January have restricted Lee to just a handful of 20-over matches this year, and for a bowler who relies heavily on rhythm, each match represents another step in his quest to reclaim his mantle as Australia's spearhead in all three forms.

"Brett seems to me like he's gradually starting to find his feet," said Watson, who knows a thing or two about comebacks. "From my experience, it does take a little while for me getting back to full pace. It can take a month or so to gradually get your body used to doing what you want to do with it. Brett's in that phase at the moment. He looks really strong and he's hitting the crease really hard. His best is just around the corner.

"It's definitely coming along, there's no doubt about that. I know from experience it's difficult and it takes a bit of time. You feel like you're pulling down extremely hard on the crease but it's just not coming out as fast as you want. But in time, over a couple of weeks, everything feels like it's in alignment and you're ready to go. I'm sure that's exactly where Brett is at the moment."