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Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said on Tuesday that a horror injury run would not force him to give up bowling and become a specialist batsman.

Watson returned home to Brisbane on Tuesday after breaking down with a hamstring problem in the ICC World T20 tournament, the latest in a series of injuries that kept him out of the Ashes and curtailed his World Cup.

Former Australian coach John Buchanan suggested the 26-year-old might need to concentrate on his batting because the strain of bowling was proving too much for his body. But Watson said he was confident he would be back to his best with a rigorous rehabilitation program and he would not consider quitting bowling.

“No way, that’s never crossed my mind,” he told reporters. “I love bowling too much. I’m still only 26 and I’ve still got quite a few years to go,” he said.

Watson was hailed as Australia’s answer to England’s Andrew Flintoff when he made his Test debut against Pakistan in January 2005. But since then he has only managed to complete three Test matches, the last against the West Indies in November 2005.

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell last week said Watson should not be picked for Australia again until he survives a full domestic season injury-free.

The all-rounder shrugged off the criticism but admitted his Test career was in limbo until he proved he could survive the rigours of the five-day game.

He was philosophical about another stint on the sidelines. “I’m actually excited in a way because it’s a new challenge to find different ways to get the best out of my body,” he said. “It’s definitely not boring, that’s one thing,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, Australia A captain Adam Voges said he was honoured to be called in as batting cover for Ricky Ponting after a hamstring injury ruled the Australian skipper out of the upcoming tour of India.

“Ricky is one of the best players in the world, no doubt. But when I get over there, if required, I hope I can do well,” he said.

Voges, 27, said he was relishing the challenge of the Indian tour.

“India in India, I don’t think you get much tougher than that. Obviously they are in form, and they have got a lot of confidence out of the Twenty20 stuff,” Voges said.

“They are going to be very tough opposition when we get over there. It is hard work, but very enjoyable,” he added.

Source:Cricket News