MELBOURNE: Never-ending injury concerns and a string of promising all-rounders in the wings have not dulled Shane Watson’s optimism of playing a leading role for Australia across all formats of cricket.

As Michael Clarke’s side have enjoyed success in the UAE against Paki­stan, Watson has spent time rehabilitating an unlucky ankle injury sustained after treading on a ball and then a calf strain.

Though Watson’s body has failed him repeatedly and selectors are no longer willing to pick him on the strength of his batting or bowling alone, his self-belief remains strong.

“I feel like I’ve still got my best years in front of me,” Watson said on Tuesday. “For everything that I’ve been through and learnt in every aspect of my life — not just the cricket perspective — I feel like I’ve only got my best years in front of me, to be totally honest.”

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014