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Shane Watson credits 13-month booze ban for his improved consistency

Sydney, Oct 24 ANI: Shane Watson, who has performed well with both the bat and the ball in the ongoing Test series in India, despite his side down 0-1, has attributed his performance to saying no to alcohol, even during celebration parties. "I'm off drinking while playing and training so I'm giving myself every chance I possibly can to be right throughout this big workload especially," Watson said. "It's been since I injured my hamstring in South Africa during the Tweny20 last September. So the only time I had a drink was after the IPL to celebrate, just a couple of glasses of champagne. But, after that, once I get back into training and playing, I've got to give myself the best possible chance to get through games," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying. Given the "drinking culture" Australia's cricketers are famous for indulging and perpetuating down the generations, Watson's decision may have caused the odd ripple in the camp, but he has made sure it does not preclude him from involvement in the social side of the team's overseas existence. "I definitely celebrate. I've made sure it doesn't take away from celebrations. I'm not isolating myself from the group because I've not sat down and just said 'I'm not going to drink'; I want to make sure I'm still involved and be celebrating and have fun which I always do," he said. The all-rounder added: "It just saves me. I know when I wake up in the morning, a few blokes are feeling a bit dusty and I'm fresh as a daisy, a bit tired but fresh." Cut off from alcohol, Watson has also not put weight over the past one year. "I haven't touched a weight for 13 months. The only things I've been doing have been my pilates, calf strength, hamstring strength, which is just body weight stuff. I don't really know the inside of a gym now to be fair. The only time I go in there now is if I'm going for a run or bike session. Swimming is great for my shoulders, and bowling and running are all I need to do. I feel my body shape's changed, I feel a lot lighter when I'm running and that sort of thing. But I feel like I haven't lost my strength, so things have evolved." ANI