Watson says 'getting hit on head' helped him make ton

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has quipped that getting hit on his head by a Stuart Broad bouncer was actually a blessing in disguise as it helped him take his mind off getting through the nineties and making a century, which left Australia firmly in charge of the fifth Ashes match against England at The Oval.

According to Sport24, Watson's Test-best 176 led Australia to 307 for four at stumps on the first day of the fifth and final Test as the beleaguered side sought a consolation victory in a five-match series already won by England at 3-0 up.

The report further said that Watson, nine runs shy of a century, was struck on the side of his head unprotected by his helmet after he took his eye off a Broad bouncer, although he batted on after his painful blow and spent 41 minutes in the 90s to complete a hundred in a mere 114 balls.

Stating that he had searched for a century for a long time, Watson, who is filling Australia's problem position of number three, joked that getting hit on the head helped him as it took his mind off getting through the nineties.

Watson also said that he had faced England bowler Simon Kerrigan in the tour match at Northampton against the second-string England Lions last week and knew what to expect.

The report further said that Watson, who is playing his 46th Test, put a disappointing series with the bat behind him with just his third Test hundred, since his previous best of 126 against India at Mohali in October 2010.

Both teams made changes following England's 74-run fourth Test win at Durham, with the hosts missing injured all-rounder Tim Bresnan and dropping out-of-form batsman Jonny Bairstow, the report added.