'Centurion' Watson Oz's 'present-day incarnation' of Gilchrist: Report

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is his country's present-day incarnation of legend Adam Gilchrist based on his centurion performance in the deciding fifth ODI against England, which was won by Australia, according to a report.

Gilchrist's phenomenal strike rate of 96.94 across almost 300 one-day internationals, in which he made 16 hundreds and 55 half-centuries, is testament to his success and gave a good indication of his boom or bust mentality.

According to Telegraph.com.au, Watson's 143 off just 107 to help Australia claim a 2-1 series victory against England on Tuesday was a 'Gilchristesque clinic of aggressive batting'.

The report further said that Watson's eighth ODI hundred took his career batting average to 41.82 in 165 matches, in which he has also notched 29 half-centuries, adding that the player is well on track to match Gilchrist's statistics at the end of his career, not only in terms of his high scores, but also his low ones.

The report also said that Watson has made nine ducks and 37 single-figure scores in one-dayers for Australia as compared to Gilchrist, who made 19 ducks and an impressive 67 single-digit scores.