Watson turns attention to floods

Star all-rounder Shane Watson had little time to bask in the glory of his match-winning century against England as he turned his attention to helping his flood-ravaged hometown.

Watson's brilliant career-best unbeaten 161, sealed with a huge six to bring up the winning runs, inspired an unlikely six-wicket Australian win despite being set 295 to win on Sunday at the MCG.

But his thoughts were with the town of Ipswich, in northeastern Queensland, after the match.

Watson said he hoped the Australian win after the thumping Ashes defeat against England would lift the spirits of those battling the flood crisis, which is now hitting the far south after wreaking havoc in the northeast.

The 29-year-old Watson said he was heading to Ipswich on Monday to offer any support he could.

"I haven't really been thinking about cricket too much," he said on Sunday.

"It has been all about what's been going on back home and also trying to organise things that I can do after this game to be able to help out in any way I can.

"It's going to be great to be able to get up to Ipswich tomorrow morning and to be able to help out. My mind has been there."

"My family was lucky enough not to be affected, but I know some of my friends who live close to the river, and also my primary school, the grounds close to it were all flooded," he added.

"It's going to be heart-wrenching to see the devastation that's there."

Watson said he hoped Sunday's win would at least lift a little of the gloom caused by the floods.

"Australia in general, not just my hometown, is inundated with water at the moment," Watson said.

"Hopefully winning a game will give people a little bit more enjoyment than during the Ashes. Hopefully it will give a few people encouragement as well."

The second one-day international of the seven-match series against England takes place in Hobart on Friday.

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