Geoffrey Boycott praises Watson

New Delhi: Shane Watson's contribution to the Australian dressing room has been questioned more than once during this Ashes tour. With a scintillating ton under his belt, his contribution to Australia's fight for respectability in the fifth Test not only proved invaluable but also won accolades from former England captain Geoffrey Boycott.

Describing Watson hundred as one of his best, Boycott said that the difference with Shane Watson was that he was positive against Graeme Swann and he used his feet well.

Watson has become the victim of LBW on number of time during the current Ashes series but former England captain thinks he can not rectify this fault overnight. "His shots were crisp and his driving was good. There were a couple of lbw shouts but he's not going to get rid of that fault overnight. This was one of his best innings, it's a big one for Australia," said Boycott.

Watson's 176 - his third Test century, his first in almost three years and his highest Test score - was the bedrock of Australia's first day total of 4-307 on an already dusty wicket at The Oval.

The only blemish in Watson's innings came when England captain Alastair Cook dropped a relatively easy chance from James Anderson low down at first slip when he was 104.

Filling the troublesome No.3 position after the early loss of opener David Warner, Watson's heavy contribution had put Australian in a strong position before he was brilliantly caught in the deep by Kevin Pietersen pulling Stuart Broad.