England must be brave with the bat if they are to turn things around: Shane Watson

MELBOURNE: Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes that England have to be brave with the bat if they wish to make a turnaround in the rest of the Ashes. He added that the tourists have not shown intent with the bat and been defensive with their mindset.

"If England are to turn things around in this Ashes series their batsmen are going to have to be braver. So far, and especially in the second Test in Adelaide, the intent has just not been there. They have had a very defensive mindset. When you are batting at your best, you are always looking to score, even if someone bowls really well. The energy that you have at the crease to put pressure on the bowling side is all-important," wrote Watson in his column for The Times on Thursday.

Watson was also surprised over the batting approach of vice-captain Ben Stokes in the Ashes. Coming back to the game after a long break to take care of mental well-being and heal from a finger injury, Stokes has made 34, 12, 5 and 14 with the bat. With the ball, he has registered figures of 0/65, 3/113 and 0/24.

"What has really blown me away is to see the defensive way in which Ben Stokes has batted. I'm gobsmacked. It goes against everything that he is - the person he is, the player he is. It is obviously a tactic because of his big back-and-across movements to the quick bowlers; he's just not trying to score."

Watson thinks that lack of preparation might be the reason behind Stokes being away from his usual self on-field. IANS

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