Watson wants 18 injury-free months

Many of Australia's World Cup-winning cricketers are thankful for their four-month break from the game - Shane Watson is cursing it. Watson's summer was so dominated by injuries that until his return late in the CB Series his season was almost a write-off. He finally got fit only to spend his winter in training, waiting to prove himself in a hectic 2007-08.

On a dark, drizzly June day in Melbourne, Watson appeared out of place helping to launch Cricket Australia's ticketing program for next season. He looks like a man built for action, one who should never be kept indoors. But just like a muscular, blond He-Man figurine, when he's tested too vigorously in real-world conditions his limbs have a habit of falling apart.

He eventually overcame his persistent hamstring problems and began finding form in the Caribbean only to be sidelined again, this time with a calf injury. When he played there were glimpses of brilliance - his 32-ball 65 against New Zealand at Grenada won over many unconvinced fans - but his winter lay-off has been awkward.

"The way it worked out personally it's not really ideal because I didn't play too much cricket this summer," Watson said. "But in a way it's been excellent because I've been able to sit down with a few guys and work out the best way to train over this winter, to work out the reasons why things have been happening and then proceed to get them right."

It seemed there were almost daily updates on his hamstring last season and it was a lot of hype for a player who still has only three Tests to his name. Although his first-class batting average of 49.22 is attractive, Watson knows the time has come to justify the selectors' faith in him with an extended and productive run in the team. He has set his sights on 18 months of injury-free cricket.

"The [training] techniques that I'm doing will just be changed moderately," he said. "It's more just the resting between when I'm doing weights and things, which does make a big difference. The big goal for me is to get through 18 months. What I do, being an allrounder, definitely puts my body under a fair bit more pressure, bowling and batting."

His target would mean staying on the field from Australia's opening tournament of 2007-08, the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September, through home series against Sri Lanka and India and a busy 2008 that will feature more than 20 Tests. Watson was in Australia's Ashes plans last summer but his hamstring dramas allowed Andrew Symonds to grasp his chance at No. 6.

Watson is therefore deadly serious about his aim to replace Justin Langer as Matthew Hayden's opening partner, although much will hinge on where he bats with Queensland at the start of the domestic season. "There's big opportunities there this summer," Watson said. "Like anything you need to be performing at the right time and be fit at the right time to make the most of those opportunities.

"I had a bit of a chat to Queensland at the end of last summer about the prospects of batting in the top order so they're really keen to try and get the best out of me as well as the team. Hopefully that opportunity will come at the start of the year and I'll be able to press my claims."

Watson has opened in Australia's ODI line-up and has spent time at No. 3 and 4 in Pura Cup matches. He believes he is technically and mentally ready for the Australian top-order. "I batted high up in the order, No. 3, for Tasmania and did really well [making four centuries in 2003-04]," he said. "Opening and No. 3 can be - as everyone's seen with David Boon, with Justin Langer - interchangeable."

Wherever he fits into Australia's side, Watson is unquestionably in their long-term blueprint for success. For now, all he wants is 18 injury-free months to prove, to himself as much as anyone, that he deserves to be there. "To be able to have a good crack at it would be awesome," he said, "for me to be able to see how good I can be at international level."