Tasmania's allrounder Shane Watson, 21, has so far experienced the sort of career which might be more usually found in the pages of a Boy's Own Annual. Plucked from relative obscurity less than a year ago for the Australian tour of South Africa, he bludgeoned his way to a century in his only first-class game of the trip, and was then selected in the national one-day team. Since then Watson has cemented his place in the side, holding down the allrounder's spot on tour in Sri Lanka and Kenya. Relaxing in the plush surroundings of the newly redeveloped Bellerive Oval in Hobart, he spoke to me shortly before the announcement of the Australian squad for the VB Series, which starts on Dec 13. He was excited by the challenge ahead.

"I don't think the series will be the walkover for Australia that some people are predicting. In Test cricket maybe we are that dominant, but in one-day cricket there are so many variables which can take place. One cameo innings or one great spell of bowling can change a game - you've got to be on your game every ball otherwise someone can get away from you, so it's definitely not going to be easy. One-day cricket is never a walkover.

"Sri Lanka are a very good one-day team - well, definitely under their own conditions like they were in the ICC Champions Trophy, but I guess they're not going to get away with playing five spinners over here. But still Australia are going to have to play extremely well to beat them.

"Is it right that Murali isn't coming? Has he had a hernia operation or something? If he doesn't come that would be very disappointing, playing against him would be a great way to improve your batting skills! Crowds love to come and see him, even though I suppose you might say people love to hate him over here, especially when he first came over here and got called for chucking - but look, he's a great bowler and everyone loves seeing great players play, especially in Australia.

"Do you know, I was really surprised at how small he was when I first saw him. But I guess if you can spin a ball like that it doesn't really matter. Obviously he's restricted by how many overs he can bowl in one-day cricket, but he's got such a great economy rate that it makes it really difficult to score. It will definitely be disappointing if he doesn't come over, and it definitely does leave a hole in their side.

"England also have a pretty good one-day side - well, the people who are fit, anyway. Andrew Flintoff is a very good one-day player, and he's been showing some really good form lately. And Marcus Trescothick is pretty awesome once he gets going. He's such a powerful player. I saw him bat over in Sri Lanka, against India I think, and he batted so well. Just the power he had - it was unbelievable. Do England really lose every time he scores a hundred? Hopefully he won't get too many of those, at least not off my bowling ...

"I think England will be going pretty well, they'll definitely be putting a lot of pressure on Australia, we will have to play extremely well to be able to beat them.

"The pressure is on Australia, what with the World Cup coming up as well. I think everyone in the team expects to have to improve from what they were, to really be at their peak for the World Cup. There's also a lot of pressure there after not making the final [of the VB Series] last year, so there's a bit more pressure to play well and get to the finals this time. England and Sri Lanka are definitely going to be a really good test leading up to the World Cup.

"But I think Australia are playing extremely good one-day cricket at the moment, and - touch wood - they've got a really good side. People know what roles they're playing and they're doing it really well. I think the Australian one-day side is probably at its best at the moment.

"And me? Well, they haven't announced the squad yet, but I hope I'm playing. I don't think I've done anything wrong - well, lately I haven't scored many runs in domestic cricket, but when we last went away I was really going well in my role so hopefully I will get selected. I'm excited about being able to improve my cricket and keep developing my game.

"All my games have been away so far, so it's going to be great to be able to play in front of a home crowd, that's something I'm really looking forward to. I'm looking at having some fun really."

Catherine Hanley is a university lecturer, a keen cricketer and a regular contributor to Wisden.com. She was born in Tasmania and now lives in Sheffield, England.

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