Feb. 9: Australia won the last two World Cups without him playing any major role. Shane Watson’s 2003 World Cup campaign was ended before it started by stress fractures in his back while a calf injury hampered his 2007 one.

But this time around, they need Watson badly with the team full of youngsters who neither have the persona nor the performance of retired superstars like Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

The defending champions are banking on the barrel-chested 29-year-old allrounder for the 2011 edition. But will he be able to deliver?

STRENGTHS
Knowledge of Indian conditions: Watson loves playing in India. A few years ago, he used to be criticised for his flat bowling trajectory and inability to move the ball.

Now, he’s one of the few bowlers in the current Aussie set-up who can generate reverse swing as well and as prodigiously as Zaheer Khan. The innumerable trips he has made to India in the last three years on international and Indian Premier League duty has helped shape him into an intelligent bowler.

But it’s his ability to take the attack to the opposition with the bat that makes him a lot more dangerous. Watson is at ease with the low bounce of sub-continental conditions and is not afraid to use his feet against both spinners and fast bowlers. Since he opens, he can take the game away very quickly if allowed to settle in.

Recent form: He’s in incredible touch at the moment and is one of the key reasons why Australia were able to clinch the ODI series against England 6-1 after a demoralising Ashes Test series loss. He smashed 161 — his highest ODI score — against England in the first game of the seven-match series and then followed it up with two fifties and six wickets. His batting average now exceeds 40 backed with bowling strike rate of 34.,

WEAKNESSES
Brittle body: His body appears to be falling apart at an age when players are fittest. Just 29 years of age, he’s had back stress fractures, hamstring strains, calf problems, hip complaints and a dislocated shoulder. He’s been advised to cut down on gymming and avoid building shoulder and back muscles because his frame is believed to be too brittle. He has been injury-free for the last eight months, but given how fragile his body it takes just a few niggles to bring the big man crashing down. Cricket Australia is fearing the worst — he’s been rested in more one-day internationals than he has played in the last few months.

Under pressure: On form, he’s the best all-rounder out there right now, but is he the most focused? He has decided to stay away from weights, reduce alcohol consumption to the odd beer to keep him sharp and agile on the field, but the mind is elsewhere.

His place of birth — Ipswich in Queensland — was recently hit by devastating floods. His mother and father escaped danger but his sister was at one stage very close to major flooding.

After the disaster, Watson admitted: “I haven’t really been thinking about cricket too much. Over the past couple of days for me personally it has put things into perspective of exactly what cricket means and what life means with all the devastation in my home town. I love playing but in the end what we do is inconsequential compared to the heartache.”

Could the disaster cause the aggressive blond to be more mellow going into the World Cup? Australia will hope not.

Possible face-off
Shane Watson vs Lasith Malinga: Malinga’s unusual action will be a test for Watson who’s a bit jittery at the start of his innings. Both players are potent and their performance will be crucial when the two teams face off at the Premadasa Stadium on March 5.