Watson rises to T20 challenge for Aussies

23 Sep 2012, 6:59 pm   -   Source: AAP
Australia have beaten West Indies in a rain-affected World Twenty20 Group B match in Colombo. (AAP)

Australia have beaten West Indies in a rain-affected World Twenty20 Group B match in Colombo. (AAP)

Shane Watson has claimed two man-of-the-match awards to dominate Australia's efforts in the group stage of their World Twenty20 campaign.

Australia coach Mickey Arthur has revealed he challenged vice-captain Shane Watson to impose himself on the World Twenty20 tournament with bat and ball and be the man to lead the side to their breakthrough title in the 20-over format.

The pace-bowling allrounder has taken figures of 3-26 and 2-29 and has scored 51 not out and 41 not out in group-stage wins over Ireland and West Indies to claim two man-of-the-match awards.

Watson's next challenge is Australia's Super Eights campaign which starts with Friday's clash with India in Colombo.

Arthur said he pulled Watson aside for a standard one-on-one briefing during Australia's T20 series against Pakistan earlier this month.

"I remember sitting with Shane when he arrived in Dubai and saying he really needed to stand up and set the tone for us and he's done that incredibly well," Arthur said on Sunday following Australia's 17-run win over the Windies.

"I said 'if you're player of the tournament then we've gone very close to winning it'. That's the impact he has on the team and he's been outstanding, so long may that continue."

Arthur has further challenged Watson to have the same impact at Test level as Jacques Kallis, the champion allrounder who was coached by Arthur during his time with South Africa.

Kallis and Watson will lock horns in the three-Test series in Australia in November with the No.1 team ranking at stake.

"Jacques Kallis' record in Test cricket is sublime, especially with the bat," Arthur said.

"And Watto's aware of it. Watto needs to convert a lot more starts.

"He's only got two Test hundreds which for a player of his talent is probably below-par and he would acknowledge that."

Arthur said Watson and Kallis, both strongly-built, blond-haired super athletes, were very different characters.

"Watto's more outgoing than Jacques is. But Jacques has a real steely determination to do incredibly well," Arthur said.

"Jacques is just a machine."

Arthur says he'll continue to push Watson.

"I would have failed as coach of Australia if Watto doesn't end up with 10 Test hundreds, he's that good," Arthur said.

"We've got to push him and give him the direction. He should be getting at least two Test hundreds a year comfortably."

A humble Watson said he didn't rank himself in the same class as Kallis and described the South African's list of achievements in all forms of the game as mind-blowing.

"He will no doubt go down as if not the greatest player ever to play the game, he'll certainly be in the top couple," Watson said.

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