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Cricket

Watson: Attack the spinners

Shane Watson has advised his Australian team-mates on how to best play Indian spin bowling after the tourists lost four quick wickets against India A in their three-day tour match in Chennai.

All four wickets fell to Indian spinners Jalaj Saxena and Rakesh Dhruv, with Watson the only batsmen looking comfortable as he made 84 to leave his side at 4-131 in reply to India A's 451.

Watson, who was part of the top-order collapse of 4-11 before stumps on day two, suggested an attacking mindset is the best way to prevent the dangerous Indian spinners from building up rhythm.

"You've certainly got to attack the spinners in a way that you can't just allow them to be able settle in to a certain line and length," Watson said.

"In Indian conditions, at some stage, the ball is going to turn and bounce and do something a little bit different and you certainly do have to put a bit of pressure on the spinners, like we do against the quicks as well.

"I think the (foreign players) who have the most success on the (sub-continent) are the ones who have really seemed to be quite proactive with how they're playing against spin."

With several inexperienced players in the team, Watson stressed the importance of the warm-up matches as a way for the Australians to get used to the different conditions.

"There is no doubt that's what India is going to hit us with and that's the reason why we've come here early to continue to evolve," he said.

"Some guys haven't played in Indian conditions before in Test matches and it's been a big learning curve for a lot of the guys to continue to improve their game and also find the game plan that's going to give themselves the best chance of having success over here."

David Warner is still in doubt for the first Test with a thumb injury and where Watson features in the batting line-up will hinge on the fitness of the explosive opener.

Watson said he would relish the chance to return to the top of the order.

"I'm not sure (where I'm batting) at this stage, it depends on whether Dave Warner will be fit," said Watson.

"I certainly love opening the batting, there's no doubt about that. It's a lot of fun to open the batting in any conditions.

"But I have played a lot in India to be able to hopefully get some success at number four."

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