Watson wants to feel natural approach

The Mental as Anything song Mr Natural used to belong to Stuart Law as he strode out at the Gabba, but this summer it could be heading Shane Watson's way after he spent the off-season fine-tuning his batting fluency. Watson has had so many net sessions at Queensland Cricket's Brisbane headquarters with Jamie Siddons, the national assistant coach, that state team-mates have joked they haven't been able to book the bowling machine.

Over the past couple of years Watson has employed a more rigid stance with a prominent, almost Graham Gooch-style back lift, but he has relaxed his approach as he looks to steal the No. 6 spot for the Ashes from Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds. "Absolutely, that's my goal," he said. "I'm never going to make any secrets about that. That's what I've been working so hard for."

Watson is particularly satisfied with his development over the past five months in both disciplines, but he must earn a spot with his batting before he can provide the additional boost of regular overs of fast bowling. An impressive 161 not out for Australia A in the Top End Series was quick proof the changes were working and there has been pre-season talk that he is closing on a middle-order berth for the first Test on November 23.

"I've spent hours on bowling machine," Watson, who will tour Malaysia in two weeks with the one-day team, said. "I'm trying to be a bit more natural instead of rigid. Batting like that had its effect to lift me to a different level, but now I'm trying to progress even further."

While Siddons has been Watson's batting light - "Jamie has spent so much time with me" - he has also been advised by Troy Cooley on his bowling action, which gains regular attention after numerous back injuries. Last summer Watson started strongly and had collected his second Test wicket when he partially dislocated his shoulder in the first Test at the Gabba, recovering late in the season to earn one-day spot for the tour of South Africa.

"I've been working with the best coaching resources in the world and they've been working extremely well with me," he said. "I'm giving myself the best chance to improve. When I become the player I want to be it will give the team a lot more options."

He starts this season in superb shape apart from a few of aches from the squad's wilderness adventure over the past week. During the camp Watson realised he had been a consistent over-eater as he coped with scrawny dinner rations ranging from a piece of steak and a potato to half a can of cold soup with bread.

"We didn't get much food and I've always eaten a lot," he said. "We did a lot of arduous stuff like six-hour walks that were pretty intense, and I learned that I probably don't need as much energy in my body as what I normally get."