Watson says 'ready to shoulder more of bowling workload' during Adelaide Test

Australian Test player Shane Watson has said that he can be relied on to shoulder more of the bowling workload on a flat Adelaide deck, with Australia's four front-line bowlers likely to need plenty of back-up for the second Test.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Watson didn't bowl in the first innings at the Gabba and bowled just two overs in the second, while Steve Smith delivered only four overs of his leg-spin in Australia's emphatic win.

As Cricket Australia ponders how best to manage the workload of its quick bowlers with just three days separating the second and third Tests, Watson said he was fit enough to make a greater contribution with the ball, according to the report.

Also, while Michael Clarke's exchange with English paceman James Anderson reignited the sledging debate, Watson said there would always be exchanges between the traditional rivals, the report mentioned.