Shane Watson spurred by opening 8216;challenge8217; for The Ashes

Watson did his best to play himself into some sort of form with a rapid 90,off just 94 balls and including 20 fours,on the second day of Australia8217;s tour match against Somerset at Taunton on Thursday as the visitors closed on 266 for four in reply to the west country county8217;s 320.

After a rain-shortened day,Watson spoke of his delight at the vote of confidence he8217;d received from former Australia batsman Lehmann,brought in after South African Mickey Arthur was sensationally sacked just 16 days before the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge on July 10.

8220;It8217;s nice to get that confirmation and it8217;s a hugely exciting challenge for me,8221; said Watson,one of four players controversially dropped during the 4-0 Test series loss in India in March for failing to provide written feedback on the team8217;s performance requested by Arthur.

8220;Darren is very up front about things,from my experience of him,but he also does care when he needs to,8221; added Watson yesterday. He is black and white in a really good way.

8220;It8217;s nice for me personally to know I have the backing of the coach and the opportunity to open is something I am very excited about.

8220;I didn8217;t know exactly what my role would be until Darren took over as coach. I had a few chats with Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur about it,but there was no confirmation.

8220;Darren has been more definite about where he wants me to bat.

8220;It doesn8217;t mean any more security because if I am not performing I can8217;t expect to get picked. But I8217;m very happy about it.8221;

England hold the Ashes after a 3-1 series win in Australia in 2010/11 and also won the preceding Ashes clash in England in 2009.

Much of their recent success against Australia has been built on penetrative swing and seam bowling,with Watson saying England8217;s attack represented the 8220;ultimate challenge8221; for an opener,a role he was thrust into in 2009.

8220;Taking on the quicks with a brand new ball is something I never knew I would enjoy until the last Ashes series here in 2009,8221; he said.

8220;Ricky Ponting gave me the opportunity through the middle of that series and it8217;s something I did and do love.

8220;I feel my game and my mentality is now suited to opening the batting.

8220;The English quicks are as good as there are in the world at the moment and have been for the last few years.

8220;It is the ultimate challenge to take on the best bowlers with a brand new ball in what sometimes will be bowler-friendly conditions.

8220;If I can8217;t get up for that,there is no point in playing.8221;

As for his bowling,the 32-year-old medium-pacer added: 8220;Certainly opening the batting means I can8217;t bowl as much. But I know I can contribute with the ball and I do love bowling.8221; As for Australia8217;s chances of regaining the Ashes,Watson said: 8220;We are obviously the underdogs coming into the series and we haven8217;t played well,especially in India a few months ago.

8220;We know we are going to have to be at our best very consistently throughout the series to have the success we want. England have a very good side,which has been the case for quite a while now.

8220;It8217;s going to be a massive challenge for us and we are all very excited about it.8221;