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'We want Watson fit for the T20 and ODI tri-series'
After his side's humiliation of India in the ongoing four-match Test series, Australia coach Mickey Arthur on Monday said that his men will "hammer down" the visitors in next month's One-Day International tri-series as well once all-rounder Shane Watson comes back into the team.
"Whether he plays in Adelaide Test or not, I'm not sure. But we want him fit for the Twenty20 and ODI tri-series and I'm pretty sure we're going to have him and that's where he'll hammer India down," said Arthur after his side clinched the four-match Test series 3-0 at the WACA in Perth.
The tri-series, which will also involve Sri Lanka, starts on February 5 with a match between India and Australia at Melbourne.
Watson has played 10 ODIs against India and scored 410 runs at an avegage of 41.00. He has also claimed 12 wickets with his medium-fast bowling at 25.42 average. Importantly, he has yet to meet India in an ODI in Australia.
'I never once thought it was going to be like this'
Arthur expressed surprise at India's tame capitulation in the Test series and believed that time has come for the visitors to identify some youngsters and bring them in the team in place of senior players.
"I never once thought it was going to be like this. You (India) need to identify some young players. You need to find ways to get those players into the system, to try to get them into the side and to give them opportunities," said Arthur.
India can still fight back in Adelaide, says Arthur
Arthur said that India can still fight back in Adelaide but someone needs to stand up and deliver against his side.
"I do think they can (stage a fightback). What they need is a catalyst. They need someone to stand up and say, 'I'm going to lead the way and take the fight to Australia. Viru (Virender Sehwag) can do that at any time. Gautam (Gambhir) has shown sings of form. Sachin (Tendulkar) has been in outstanding nick. Zaheer Khan can do that with the ball. India are still a very, very good cicket team," he said.
"They've just got to get some confidence. They still are a team that we'll never ever take lightly."