McGrath calls slamming Watson for first-ball duck against England 'harsh'

Former Australia fast bowling great Glenn McGrath has insisted that criticism of all-rounder Shane Watson based on him going for a duck while facing the first ball against England was harsh.

Watson had gone for a duck on his first ball while facing England paceman Stuart Broad in Australia's World Cup opener on Saturday in the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

McGrath claimed that when one gets a first-baller that's the way it goes, adding that one does not have a chance to look ugly or to do anything, Stuff.co.nz reported.

McGrath, who holds the record for the highest number of Test wickets by a fast bowler and is fourth on the all-time list, said that Watson has been under a little bit of pressure, more so in the Test series this summer.

McGrath added that one-dayers the all-rounder seems to know his game a bit more but insisted that at the end of the day one has to be performing.

McGrath claimed that it's up to Watson now, insisting that he's got the ability, he's always had the ability, and he now has to turn it around and get some big runs with it.