Big-hitter Watson ‘not trying for records’

Record-breaking Australian batsman Shane Watson on Monday said he was just trying to “get the best out of myself” rather than chase milestones during the second one-dayer against Bangladesh. The opener hammered a world-record 15 sixes in his unbeaten 185 off 96 balls as Australia defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets to gain an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

West Indies’ Xavier Marshall was the previous record-holder with 12 sixes against Canada in 2008. “In the end, I’m not comparing myself to anyone. It doesn’t worry me if there’s someone better than me or ranked higher than me,” said Watson, named man of the match.

“I’m just trying to get the best out of myself I possibly can.” Watson’s knock was also the highest by an Australian in one-day internationals, surpassing Matthew Hayden’s 181 not out against New Zealand in Hamilton four years ago.

He also had a chance of breaking Hayden’s record 66-ball century, the fastest by an Australian in one-dayers. “I don’t know exactly how many balls Hayden faced,” said Watson, who took 69 balls to complete his hundred.

“I’m not playing to break records or anything like that. I’m just trying to back myself and if it comes off like it did today then it’s brilliant. But I’m not going out with any thought of breaking records.

Watson said he tried to go for big shots as he was feeling tired in hot and humid conditions.

“The reason I kept going after reaching 100 is because I was tired and didn’t really want to run too much. I was either going to try to hit as many sixes as I could or get out, that was as simple as it was,” said Watson, 29.

DHAKA, Tuesday (AFP)