Watson defers from Clarke’s strategies with Success

Shane Watson might not have been able to display a mixture of aggression and defense in his batting this series, but he’s captaincy certainly had a nice mix to it. 

While Michael Clarke has been content to attack even at situations when the game has drifted Watson approach of combining attacking and defensive fields certainly constrained the Indians.

Watson approach illustrates his ODI mindset cooperated with Australia’s aggressive mentality.  The field placements are those of any modern day captain, a deep point as early as the 5^th over, long on back on the fence before Lyon bowled even a ball, two men out on the leg side boundary looks obnoxious but it is often the modern field that batsmen struggle to score against fluently.  Modern day cricket especially in the sub-continent, is about restricting and Watson given his IPL and ODI exposure in India was quick to adopt the approach.

The Indians got off to an aggressive start but unlike Clarke he protected the boundaries. The third man is such a productive area of scoring on slow wicket and Watson immediately employed one after a couple of edges went through that area. It was a wise move and a change Clarke had resisted so far in the first three tests.

It ensured India scoring rate was controlled and once Watson achieved this he brought on his most lethal bowler, Nathan Lyon, on a spinner’s paradise.  He assured his spinner would not be milked for runs by offering an in-out field all day.  Lyon responded brilliantly ending with his best figures on tour 5/94.

If there has been any criticism of Clarke, he has waited for Indians to loft the spinners before dispersion the field, Watson on the contrast cut down the value of strokes by pushing men on the outfield. Simultaneously, he also attacked with 3 or 4 close in fielders. It was a balance Alastair Cook had applied successfully in England’s triumph over India late last year.  

Apart from the varied field setting Watson was also successful in bringing back the Australian aggression. In the series so far, there has been so little banter and the likes of Pattinson and Siddle had yet to even whisper at the opposition.  Siddle, Pattinson and Johnson finally breathed some fire into the opposition by bowling short at their bodies followed by verbal barrages. Watson also backed them up by providing them with a short leg, leg gully and the license to attack. 

Given Clarke has had bowlers capable of bowling in excess of 145km/h at his disposal and has yielded away from such tactics illustrates seems bizarre.  

Watson style of captaincy is suited to Indian conditions because he looks to restrict the number of runs first and then concentrates on wickets.  It might seem as defensive but it tight tactic in India. Even MS Dhoni has used similar fields despite being in control of matches.  

Watson certainly has been assisted by a “minefield” of a pitch but he has deferred from Clarke tactics. Considering this is Australia’s best chance of winning a test in this series, Watson the captain deserves some credit.