Sydney, Feb 27: Leading Australia in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke, Shane Watson had a near-perfect debut as captain with the hosts all but pushing India out of the tri-series competition.

Watson spoke about his comeback match in the post-match press conference.

Excerpts:

On the match

It was really nice to be back playing this summer. To be able to go out there with such an amazing crowd made me realise how much I have missed this summer. [...] To be able to put in a very good team performance in a game that we needed to win to make sure we got into the finals was very impressive.

On what he considered to be a good target on the wicket

Initially, I was thinking maybe around 280 would be a very good score. [...] The wicket actually changed a little bit tonight. The wicket got a bit of dew on it and actually went through a little bit more than it did when we were batting; there was a little bit of swing movement and little bit of bounce. It bounced a bit more than it did during our innings so that played into our hands because that is our advantage here in Australia. More bounce here than in India, so 250 was a good score in the end.

On when he found out he was to captain Australia

I knew of the possibility yesterday. It was a bit touch and go whether Michael [Clarke] was going to be fit today so I did a little bit of playing last night to make sure I got through the fifty [overs] and that I got the bowling right. Mickey [Arthur] and Michael Clarke were great support yesterday and today to get me up to speed on the plans and telling me about the summer where I haven’t been around; that made my job a lot easier.

On Michael Clarke’s fitness

His back has recovered pretty well from Friday’s match so with a few days still to go for the next match, I am pretty sure things will work out and he will be all right to go. I don’t know what the medical staff and Michael will talk about now that we are in the finals, but either way I am comfortable.

On how this game was different from playing against India in the World Cup

It was nice that there was a bit of pace and bounce in the wicket as compared to what was there in Ahmedabad. But a lot has passed since then, especially during the Test series; you could see that watching it from afar. What India were able to do in that World Cup was very impressive.

On the decisions regarding David Hussey (given not out) and Sachin Tendulkar (given out)

[...] I think Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel are two of the best umpires in the world. I have total trust in them to make the right decision so whichever way they went, I am always comfortable. There is going to be lot of talk regarding that [Hussey] decision. That’s the decision that was made and I am obviously very comfortable with it. [...] You’ve got to trust their judgment, they are very good umpires. About Sachin [Tendulkar’s run out], I thought that he was very disappointed with Gautam Gambhir for actually taking that one [run]. There probably was no run it. I actually felt he wasn’t happy all the way back. Looking back at Gautam Gambhir, he obviously realised that Sachin wasn’t [happy with the run] […]

On whether he had spoken to David Hussey regarding the decision

I actually haven’t talked to David Hussey about that. I probably will tonight to see what he thought [...] I am sure that David Hussey would never do anything untoward [...].

On the conditions

[...] The wicket changed a bit, there was a little bit of drizzle and a little bit of dew as well. The ball actually swung in and went through a bit more than it would on any wicket probably in India so that makes it more fair to the bowlers [...] It is nice when you are able to see [conditions] a little bit more in favour of bowlers, especially tonight when we got 250-[odd runs] [...] The conditions changed and we were able to adapt to them and bowl nicely.

On his bowling

I could have bowled a full ten [overs]. I was just trying to balance [the responsibility]. Being captain I didn’t want to over-bowl myself. [...] I want to try and make sure it is spread around; we have got me, David Hussey and Daniel Christian to bowl ten overs. […] We just try to mix and match and hope to bowl the required 10 overs. [...]

On his bowling effort

I felt I bowled okay today. My effort balls were getting into the late 130s [kmph], which is my normal pace with my effort ball, so I felt the most comfortable that I have over the last two or three weeks.

On how it felt to play today

[…] The last three months it was frustrating to sort of have a few false starts coming back, so to be able to play first of all, and get through it, is another day down and another day that my body adapts to doing what I want to do with it. Also, to have the captaincy in my first game back took my mind off my body. I didn't have time to think about what was going on with my body; I was thinking not only about where I wanted to bowl but also where the fielders were and who was going to bowl at the other end, so it was actually a good distraction.

On India and Australia

[Confidence levels] were very different, no doubt. To see the way a few of their guys got out tonight [was surprising]; throughout the period of time they were doing so well, guys like [Virat] Kohli and [MS] Dhoni were scoring big runs pretty consistently, as well as Sachin [Tendulkar] and Virender Sehwag. [...]

For a few of those big guns to miss out pretty consistently through this whole summer is something you don't really see with this Indian team because normally one or two of those guys are getting big scores in the majority of the games. I think that's really where they're lacking compared to what they are when they are at their best. There is no doubt that they [have] too many amazing, world-class players to not be able to turn it around.

On finding his place in the side

First of all, there was never a time where I was going to chuck it in physically. [...]. To actually get out and play is the most exciting thing for me, wherever I fit in, whether it's opening or not. I'd love to be able to bat in the top order, there's no doubt about that, but in the end I just want to fit in because what I saw from afar throughout the Test series was very impressive. So if there is an opportunity for me to fit in, I would love to be part of that.