Watson relishing Warner alliance

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia:

Australia opener Shane Watson is relishing batting at the top of the order with the dynamic David Warner.

Watson took the plaudits with a dashing 81 as Australia began the World Twenty20 with a 34-run win over defending champions Pakistan here on Sunday.

But the all-rounder said the way in left-hander Warner, who smashed 26 from 18 balls against Pakistan, was prepared to go for his shots right from the very start of the innings was a huge help to the man batting at the other end.

"He goes at it from the first ball no matter what," Watson explained.

"It does take a lot of the pressure off me, especially in the first couple of overs.

"Even though I'm looking to score, I'm not trying to take a real big risk in the first coupe of overs," added Watson, who made Pakistan pay for missing him on 11 and 20 in a 49-ball innings, featuring four sixes and seven fours, that was his highest score in a dozen Twenty20 internationals.

"The way Dave bats makes it easier for me to find my way for the first few balls anyway because I know he is going to be scoring very quickly. It's great to bat with him and know the pressure is off me a little bit.

"It worked out perfectly, unfortunately he got out but he set up the innings and that enabled me to kick on from there.

"Hopefully, we can continue to get going and set a really good platform for the team."

Australia complete their group programme against Bangladesh in Barbados on Wednesday.