Australia’s Watson looking to new era

DHAKA (AFP) - Australia’s vice-captain Shane Watson on Wednesday said he was looking forward to an “exciting” new era as his beleaguered side tries to move on from an early exit in the cricket World Cup.

“It’s very disappointing not to get through further than what we did in the World Cup. Unfortunately, that’s been done with and we have got to move on,” Watson said ahead of a three-match one-day series against Bangladesh.

“We have got three games in Bangladesh with a new captain (Michael Clarke) that will add a slightly new dynamic to our team.

“I think it’s really an exciting phase in Australian cricket. It’s a changing time in Australian cricket.”

Australia, seeking a fourth successive World Cup, were knocked out in the quarter-finals when they lost to India in Ahmedabad last month.

The disappointment followed the bitter blow of the home Ashes series loss to England.

Clarke replaced Ricky Ponting as Australia’s captain following their World Cup exit, with Watson named his deputy.

“One of the special things that happened in my cricket career is to be a part of the leadership group that is now really working very hard and trying to turn things around,” said Watson, 29.

“There is not going to be any drastic change. Hopefully, I can contribute and Clarke can contribute to help us to play more consistent cricket. I am very excited about my new role in the leadership group.”

Ponting retained his place in the side as batsman, a decision all-rounder Watson hailed as “absolutely brilliant”.

“Having his experience around the group is very important for our development moving forward,” said Watson, who has 3,643 runs and 130 wickets in one-day internationals.

Australia will play the one-dayers in Dhaka on April 9, 11 and 13.

“This is my first tour to Bangladesh and it will be great to see different conditions,” he said. “No doubt Bangladesh at their best can play unbelievable cricket in these conditions.”

Watson also said a qualification process should be put in place for smaller teams to be able to play in the next World Cup in 2015.

The International Cricket Council recently announced that the next edition would feature only the 10 full member nations.