Watson - Win still possible

Watson: Winning chance

Related links

Teams

• Australia
• India

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Live scores

Shane Watson is positive that a strong showing from the Australian bowlers will enable them to win the first Test against India.

The all-rounder took three wickets in the Indian first innings and ended the fourth day unbeaten on 32 as the visitors closed the day on 193-5 - meaning a lead of 263.

Some big hitting in the morning session could lead to a declaration from captain Ricky Ponting who will be hoping his bowlers can then skittle out the hosts in the remaining time.

"We are in a good position and we could bat on for an hour," Watson said. "But I haven't had a chance to talk to Ricky yet, so I have got no idea what Ricky's plans are."

Time

Watson thinks that 70 overs will be enough time to force a result despite the home side having such a powerful batting line-up.

"If we bowl well, yeah (we can get them out)," he added. "The ball is reversing pretty quickly and that's very handy for our quicks.

"The wicket is deteriorating a little bit, but nowhere near as much as I personally thought it would. But we definitely need to bowl extremely well to bowl the Indians out."

India were on the ascendancy after the Aussies suffered a middle-order collapse but Watson and Brad Haddin steadied the ship with a sixth-wicket stand of 65.

"For me it was (a question of) survival more than anything else," said Watson.

"Zaheer Khan was bowling very well - he was actually bowling very big reverse and the ball was coming into me from around the wicket.

"So, it was hard to survive more than anything. There was no specific plan.

"Harbhajan and Zaheer showed yesterday afternoon that if you played aggressively a little bit of luck went your way as well. That was our intent anyway and it certainly paid off."

Recall

Watson last played a Test back in 2005 against the West Indies and the Queenslander admitted he was loving every minute of his return.

"This Test match has been the most fun I have ever had playing cricket," he said

"It's been an amazing experience for me already, batting there against the Indians with Harbhajan bowling extremely well on a turning wicket and a fair bit of reverse as well."

India's fielding coach Robin Singh accepted that Australia were firmly in control of the match.

"We are pretty sure Australia will declare sometime tomorrow. It's just a question of when," he said.

"We have to just make sure that we bat well. We have a top-class batting side so I'm not too worried.

"I think Australia have to make all the calls here."

Singh also played down suggestions that captain Anil Kumble suffered a serious injury, adding: "Anil had a sore shoulder. He just stayed off the field for a while as a precautionary measure. He's very much available for the rest of the series."