MELBOURNE – All rounder Shane Watson conceded Australia had all but lost the Ashes on Tuesday and admitted the side’s abysmal performance in the fourth test was enough to turn fans away from the game.
The five-test series is level at 1-1 but holders England need only scoop the remaining four wickets, three if the injured Ryan Harris opts against batting, to become the first side to win the Ashes on Australian soil in 24 years.
“It’s very shattering to be in the position we are now after playing so well in Perth and feeling like we had a big chance of really being in the series and winning the Ashes,” Watson told reporters.
“Obviously we will do everything we can to restore the pride and try to draw the series, but in the end the most important thing is actually winning that little urn and we haven’t been able to do it.
“We’ve got to try to restore some pride, it’s been extremely disappointing to be able to play the way we have, in Adelaide and here especially.
STUNNING COLLAPSE: The loss of his own wicket for 54 immediately after the break triggered Australia’s stunning collapse. Watson also ran out opener Simon Katich in the lost second test in Adelaide, with England batsman Jonathan Trott doing the fielding work on both occasions. “It’s a horrendous feeling running out a team mate, you’d rather it be yourself,” he said.
“I thought there was a run but obviously there wasn’t, the gap was closed down quite quickly, so, I’d say it was my fault, yeah.” Watson said Australia would be in for some soul-searching but backed Ricky Ponting to remain captain after the 36-year-old was dismissed for 20, the latest in a poor run of scores since a half century in the drawn first test. “He’s a very, very tough man mentally as he’s shown throughout his career. Everyone is and will always be right behind Ricky who’s been a brilliant leader for us,” he said.
