One of the hottest hunks in Team Australia, Shane Watson speaks to Faisal Kamal in a free-wheeling interview from cricket to WAGs.

Excerpts:

Faisal Kamal: After series of consistent all-round performances Shane Watson is a must in any Aussie XI?

Shane Watson: Yeah! It's always a dream to play for your country. I feel honoured to be playing alongside players like Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee and Mike Hussey. It's a great feeling, sometimes it's unbelievable but I am getting used to it now.

FK: You and Tim Paine have really worked well at the top in recent times.

SW: It has been good batting with Tim at the top. The partnership has developed well though we haven't put any really big stands. It's nice to see how Tim has developed since the start of the England one-day series. To see how he has developed since the time I first saw him play for Tasmania, it is very exciting. I am looking forward to see how he performs against India. We are hoping to forge a good partnership at the top in India. Even Shaun Marsh is looking to get a chance and fire as an opener.

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FK: Have you made any specific strategies to play in India?

SW: Look I have played a lot of cricket in India, courtesy Rajasthan Royals (IPL outfit). But yes this is going to be an important tour from the 2011 World Cup perspective. The 7 one-dayers will be very important for the guys who haven't been here before. It will be a learning exercise for the young guns and for everybody as the World Cup will happen in the sub-continent. We will be looking to identify our strengths and weaknesses in Indian conditions.

FK: How does it feel to be a part of a team that's best in the world?

SW: Oh! It feels great. But then it is a responsibility as well. It's a situation which keeps you on your toes and helps you perform better every time you walk out on the park. You get over-excited as well in big games. And fortunately for me, I have been involved in a few big matches that Australia have played. It takes a little while to get adjusted to the fact that you are playing with the best guys, but when it sinks in you really do enjoy.

FK: You have played under Shane Warne (captain and coach Rajasthan Royals) and Tim Nielsen is the Australian national coach. Whose coaching style do you prefer?

SW: I think both are very different. Shane Warne was more of a captain, who ran the whole set-up I suppose. Shane is a legend and it was a great learning experience under him. My whole game improved under the champion leg-spinner's guidance and I hope he'll continue to help me. But Tim Nielsen has been good in different ways. He has helped me improve my batting. Tim has a great eye. He (Tim) has trained under Greg Chappell, who has had a great influence on my batting. Tim really gets involved with the team and along with Ricky Ponting, has made this a winning outfit.

FK: You are a genuine all-rounder. Ever thought of just concentrating on your batting, to negate the injuries that come with fast bowling, to prolong your career?

SW: No. Never. I just love to do both. I love being an all-rounder. I mean you can put that extra effort in your bowling if your batting fails and try and make up on the batting front if you had some ordinary overs. That's the way I like. So hopefully I'd be an all-rounder for my whole career.

FK: Do you feel that you are filling Andrew Symonds' void in the team?

SW: I am very different from Symmo. I open the innings and am a quick bowler. But I still feel nobody can fill anybody's void. Everybody has a place of their own. But as I say that, I firmly believe that a team has to move on and not get stuck to a particular player. We had some great names in our sides. But now when they are not there, we haven't stopped functioning. It took us a while, but we now on back to our winning ways.

FK: Can you explain the role of Wives and Girlfriends (WAGs) in modern day sport?

SW: Well I can't speak for everybody, but for me my girlfriend (Fox Sports presenter - the beautiful Lee Furlong) is an important part of my cricket life as well. We are very comfortable with each other. We have even been able to keep our private lives to ourselves. Even the constant media spotlight hasn't really bothered us. Rather it is very important to have a supportive partner. She helps me through tough times as she understands the nature of our job. I think yes, WAGs are an important part of modern day cricket.

FK: Heard you went topless in a recent photo shoot back home!

SW: (Laughs loudly) Yeah, that was a calendar shoot for Glenn McGrath foundation. I had my jeans on. I feel you should do your bit for a good cause. McGrath Foundation is now a big charity in Australia.

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