MELBOURNE: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said on Monday he was not ready to give up ODI cricket just yet, while fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is taking a wait-and-see approach after their country’s unprecedented fifth World Cup title.

Watson and Johnson are both the same age as Michael Clarke, who ended his ODI career by leading Australia to victory in Sunday’s final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The two 33-year-olds are unlikely to be part of Australia’s title defence in 2019, but both are key mentors in a youthful side.

Johnson has previously hinted he would consider dropping ODI and Twenty20 cricket to ensure the longevity of his Test career.

The left-armer suggested he is yet to make a call on his limited-overs future and is unsure when he will make up his mind.

“I’m not thinking of that at the moment. I’m just going to enjoy this moment and make decisions later,” Johnson said.

Watson seemed even more certain he wanted to play a part in a five-match ODI series against England that follows the Ashes.

“Hopefully I’ve still got a lot of really good cricket left in me,” the all-rounder said. “I hope the selectors continue to pick me.”

Mitchell Starc, who was adjudged player of the tournament after claiming 22 wickets, hoped the likes of Johnson and Watson would stick around for a little while longer.

“The senior guys have definitely got some time left in them,” Starc said. “Obviously we lose Michael [Clarke] now, but we’ve got a lot of great senior guys around us.

“The young guys are really thriving on that and it’s something we can take forward now for the next four years leading into the next World Cup.”

Clarke, having led Australia to their fifth ODI title and ensured they became the first team to win the trophy on every continent, felt he left the team ‘in a great place’.

“They’ll continue to have success. I think they’ll continue to get better,” Clarke said. “It’s the right time for me to go now.”

Both Johnson and Watson described Sunday’s seven-wicket win as one of the highlights of their glittering careers.

“It’s surreal at the moment. You get flashbacks of the night and parts of the game,” Johnson said.

Watson, who was in the middle when Steve Smith struck the winning runs, added: “It was still hard for me to get my head around it, I’m not sure if I ever will.”

Johnson and Watson will both depart soon for the Indian Premier League which starts from April 8.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

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