India batters will do better in Australia, feels Shane Watson

India have lost both their last overseas Test series but that doesn’t convince Shane Watson that they would be at the receiving end in yet another away series scheduled later this year – in Australia. India are set to play four Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is in Australia between November 2018 and January 2019. The former Australian all-rounder thinks Indian batters, who had a tough tour of England, will not find it so challenging Down Under.

India lost the fourth Test against England in Southampton on September 2 by 60 runs to squander the five-match series 1-3 with one game remaining. The visitors’ bowlers had the hosts under check in both the innings but their batsmen failed to deliver yet again. While they failed to take more than a slender lead in the first innings, their batting flopped in the second essay too with the routine exception in captain Virat Kohli.

“It is not easy to play swing bowling. Trust me when Australia travel to England for Ashes next year, it won’t be easy for them also. England is the only place where the ball swings that much primarily due to conditions. You just can’t land in England once every three years and be successful,” News 18 cited reports quoting Watson as saying.

The 37-year-old cricketer, who has played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs and 58 T20Is for Australia, felt there is a difference between tours of England and Australia and that India’s chances Down Under would be better compared to what they had against the Three Lions.

Virat has scored loads of runs

“Look, if you check records, Indian batsmen of late have done well in Australia. Virat has scored loads of runs and I remember a fine century by (KL) Rahul at the SCG. Even Rahane scored a few runs,” he said.

“In Australia, the kookaburra will stop swinging after first 10 or may be 15 overs unlike Dukes which can swing all day. I don’t think bounce would be that much of a problem.”

Watson also sympathised with India saying tourists have not done well in cricket internationally and Kohli’s side should not be blamed particularly for their loss.

India still have won series in England but never in Australia

However, history says India’s records in Australia has not been good either. While they have still won some Test series in England, they are yet to win a Test series Down Under since they went there first in 1947-48. They last drew Australia in 2003-04 and have lost three series since then, the most recent by a 0-2 margin.

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