Watson hails nice guy Flintoff

Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson is keen to emulate the achievements of England star Andrew Flintoff © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff wannabes are popping up all over Australia in the wake of the Ashes defeat and there is even one already in possession of the baggy green cap.

Hampshire all-rounder Shane Watson has been given the opportunity to become Australia's version of Flintoff as they plan towards reclaiming the urn at the first attempt on England’s 2006/7 visit.

There are obvious comparisons to be drawn between the two all-rounders and Watson revealed his gratitude for a bar tutorial from Flintoff in the aftermath of the thumping Test win by Australia in the Super Series.

That game saw Watson, 24, make only his second appearance at Test level, while World XI player Flintoff has 53 caps.

Flintofff was able to pass on advice to Watson during the Super Series © Getty Images

Watson failed to take a wicket in the contest and made scores of 24 and 10 from the number seven position, but he may have learned more over a beer in the aftermath of the 210-run victory than in the middle.

“He's unbelievable, a lovely guy,” said Watson. “It has been great to be able to talk to someone else who's been through the situation I am in at the moment - really improving but not getting your game to the level you want it to be.

“We had a really good chat and he told me to be patient.

“As he says, your batting and bowling are not going to be perfect each time you go out to play: sometimes your batting is going to be better than your bowling and vice versa. Eventually it will all come off at once and the hard work will pay off.

“Someone like him giving me his experiences of his career so far has given me an insight into what you need to do to get to his level.

“I have an amazing amount of respect for what he has done, the way he contributes to his team, the way he presents himself on the field as well.

Watson is keen to remain friends with Flintoff as they both continue their development © Getty Images

“Hopefully we will continue to be friends because it is nice to know I have got the best all-rounder in the world there to give me some advice.”

Few would argue that Flintoff is the best cricketer on the planet following his display in the 2-1 Ashes success, but like Watson he had to overcome serious hurdles.

He was shaping up as a perennial under-achiever for the first few years of his international career as he struggled to shrug off nagging back problems.

His career turned four years ago when he was hauled from the academy in Adelaide to bolster a wafer-thin attack on the tour of India.

Fit and subsequently fiery, Flintoff took the new ball on that trip and has not looked back since.

Watson has endured similar problems but believes four months with Hampshire over the summer, during which he built up mileage in his legs and rediscovered the ability to send down 90-mile-per-hour deliveries, the asset that had penned in as a future international as a teenager with Tasmania.

Watson is determined to develop into a player as destructive as Lancashire star Flintoff © Getty Images

“Part of being an all-rounder is that you have to work so hard on both aspects of your game and one can develop faster than the other for whatever reason,” Watson said.

“That has happened to me just because of the actual amount of work I have done on my batting compared to the physical amount of bowling I have been limited to due to injuries in the past.

“I know I am going to improve a lot over the next year or so because this is the first time ever that I have had an extended run without injuries.

“Obviously it all depends on my performances from now on.

“There is an opportunity for Australia at the moment for an all-rounder but there are no assurances for you when you are in the team.

“But the more I play, the more I know I am going to improve, the more comfortable I will feel. That will give me the chance to play a key role in the Australian team.”