I know how important my role is: Shane Watson

In a purple patch in the ongoing ICC World Twenty20, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said there is a lot left in his tank and hoped to continue the same way in the remainder of the tournament.

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Watson was today adjudged man-of-the-match -- his fourth on the trot in the tournament -- after helping Australia thrash South Africa by eight wickets in a Super Eights match here today.

"Nice to be able to continue to play well. I know how important my role is. It's still a hell of a long way to go and I want to continue," Watson said after Australia's win.

He said the plan during his 47-ball 70-run knock was to see off new-ball bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and take on the other South African bowlers.

"Facing Steyn and Morkel was a very big challenge. I knew if we got through the first four overs, we had to take on a few other bowlers but it was going to hold momentum for the innings," said Watson.

Watson praised his senior team-mate Mike Hussey for stabilising the innings after the early dismissal of opener David Warner.

"Hussey stabilised the innings. The top four batsmen are the ones who win you games consistently. Hussey took the pressure off me to score."

Australian captain George Bailey was all praise for his top three batsmen.

"The way Shane (Watson), Mike (Hussey) and Warner have been batting, chasing has gone very well for us. 146 was about par," he said.

Bailey was happy that his decision to bring in Xavier Doherty in place of Daniel Christian proved right as the later sparkled with three wickets for 20 runs from his four overs.

"A tough call to make for a winning team, but Doherty really helped put South Africa on the back foot. Great start for Doherty, he was brought in to pick some early wickets against batsmen who like the ball to come on a bit more," said Bailey.

South African captain AB de Villiers expressed disappointment at the defeat but said his side will bounce back in their last Super Eights game against India.

"Very disappointed. Just frustrating when we don't click. I just can't put my finger on one thing, it went wrong everywhere. They didn't allow us to get off to a flier and we lost quite a few wickets and that didn't give us the momentum," he said.

"Watson is a class player. But, it's not all doom and gloom, hopefully we'll win on Tuesday."

Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters