Australia lost competitive edge due to tab on sledging: Watson

London:

All-rounder Shane Watson feels Australia have lost their competitive edge over their rivals ever since they were asked by Cricket Australia (CA) to cut down on sledging.

Cricket Australia had asked players to set the right example and live up to their responsibilities in the Ashes series and Watson said since then the visitors have struggled to strike a balance between being gentle and intimidating.

"One thing Cricket Australia have said to us is to make sure we know where the line is and don't cross it," Watson was quoted as saying in the 'Daily Telegraph'.

"It is a sticky one because of course the general public in Australia want us to be perfect role models and the hardest thing when you play is to be extremely competitive and not cross the line, in terms of the things the general public don't want us to do like spitting and swearing.

"It is a fine line between being perfect role models and being competitive. As a group we don't want to lose the edge.

That is the reason we have been so good in the past because of how competitive we are and we don't take a backward step.

"We have got to make sure we do everything we can to win, in the end, because that is what Cricket Australia and the Australian public do want," added Watson, who will play for Australia against Northamptonshire in a three-day tour match, starting on Friday.