After Champions Trophy heroics, Watson hopes to emulate Gilchrist, Hayden

Johannesburg, Oct.6 (ANI): After securing the Champions Trophy title for his team on Monday, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who scored an unbeaten 105, has said that he hopes to emulate former players Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden in terms of dominant scoring ability.

Watson said he hopes to build on his biggest one-day triumph by emulating the men who showed him what opening was all about, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.

Topping his 136 against England last Friday was going to take some doing, but Watson commanded Australia from 2-6 to a six-wicket win over the Black Caps with 105 not out.

On 93 with seven runs needed to win, Watson walloped successive sixes to land Australia the title and reach three figures for the fourth time in his career.

"Seeing Matt Hayden and Adam Gilchrist bat the way they did, there's obviously a big opportunity for me to try to fill the void there because we always got off to flyers," he said.

"Adam and Matt always got big totals, especially in big events, Adam Gilchrist in the World Cup final and Matt Hayden throughout the whole World Cup.

"I love batting at the top of the order against the new ball, so I have just got to do as best I possibly can," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Alongside six wickets, Watson finished the Champions Trophy with 265 runs - second only to Ricky Ponting's 288 - after starting the series with successive ducks.

While the Champions Trophy will likely be remembered as Watson's breakthrough event on the international stage, the 28-year-old credited last year's Indian Premier League for having a huge impact on his game and confidence.

"There is no doubt that's what got me back on the field, got my confidence up as a player, but also it got me back in the Australian team as well a bit quicker than I thought I would be," Watson said. (ANI)