Watson labels fifth Test ton as 'consolation innings' for horror Ashes show

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has described his century on the opening day of the fifth Test at The Oval as a consolation innings as Australia is already 3-0 down in the Ashes.

According to News.com.au, Watson made his highest score of 176 on Wednesday, which was just his third hundred in a career marred by injuries and his first in 25 Tests, although it was the first ton by an Australian number three since Shaun Marsh in Kandy two years and 27 Tests ago.

Although Watson is relieved and happy to be able to get a hundred atleast once in the series, he however, lamented that the hundred is only a consolation given his failure to make a big score earlier in the important first three Ashes Tests.

According to Watson, he had a lot of soul searching to do, as he knew how important it was to set up the series, adding that he has been questioning himself over his performance in the past five Tests.

Watson further said that more important than the century is that he had managed to bat for a long time, adding that he had worked very hard and had some expert individuals helping him out over the last six weeks to make him able to bat for a long period.

According to the report, Watson, who is now Australia's leading run scorer in the series, had received some intensive batting tuition from captain Michael Clarke amongst others to try and eliminate getting out leg before wicket regularly play across his front pad.

Batting at number three, Watson was 91 when he went down after being struck by a nasty short ball from England's Stuart Broad but he claimed that there was no serious damage.