Pietersen's absence a loss for World Twenty20: Watson

Mirpur Star allrounder Shane Watson is sad that Kevin Pietersen is not playing international cricket anymore and wants someone like Australian coach Darren Lehmann to guide the maverick England batsman Pietersens career was cut short after the England and Wales Cricket Board decided to drop him from the team for the ongoing World Twenty20 Championships Watson said Pietersens absence is the tournaments lossShane WatsonFor me its sad that Kevin Pietersen is not playing international cricket He has always been one of my favourite players as he could take the game away anytime I loved watching him bat in the way he took on bowlers in all forms of the game But things now might just change with new coach Its a loss for the tournament that Kevin would not be there 32yearold Watson said in an interaction during an Open Media Session of the Australian team here todayWatson feels that just like Lehmanns appointment as the chief coach helped a rudderless Aussie team get direction it might just work for Pietersen and England if they get someone like him to guide them through this crisis Hope things work out for England as Kevin is an incredible player Certainly they will miss his cricketing abilities and they need someone to help Kevin To guide him in the right direction just like Darren Lehmann guided this current Australian teamLehmann pointed the ship in the right direction and everyone was on board Great coaches are those who were not only great cricketers but also those who get the respect when he walks in Someone who does things for right reasons My experience of playing with Kevin in Hampshire is that he is a good guy Watson said in a pragmatic tone Although he has moved on since the infamous Homework Gate episode happened during the away series against India last year the scars still remain as he made it clear how Mickey Arthurs removal and Lehmanns appointment changed things for the betterLook since Darren Lehmann came in he has certainly made a huge change to our group There was a period of time Arthur era which certainly wasnt ideal that team environment Darren came in and turned things around He knew having played the game as to what kind of environment is needed to get best out of us and made those changes immediately Watson said without referring to Arthur even onceWatson said the current Australian team is enjoying its time both on and off the field We are certainly enjoying our time on and off the field There were certain specifics that Darren wanted us to work on He has an amazing knowledge about the game and knows also how to help players as well The day Darren took over the environment changed immediately He certainly made sure we were enjoying ourselves He knew families were integral part to us individually but also as group he saidWatson didnt hesitate in saying that the team had its insecurities during the earlier regime as the fear of failure had crept in When everyone is worried about failing rather than concentrating on performing it becomes different When you have got a negative mindset the best result one expects is not failing But when you go with a mindset of just perform with freedom and back your own skills the best result is having a great day Thats what exactly happened during last AshesEveryone had the time of their lives We did play extremely well apart from couple of sessions We realised that its about playing cricket in general which is important We should not be too worried about failing Watson also feels that Lehmanns introduction has taken a lot of load off Michael Clarke who he thought was trying to be everything and everyoneWatson said he is happy to play alongside Clarke for a common goal I am not specifically talking about my relationship with Michael My relationship with Michael has been very good He has been excellent in how he has run the team Darren coming in has just taken the load off Michael more than anything elseEarlier Michael was trying to be everything and everyone and Darren has helped us out In any team there are people with whom you share a close relationship but may be you dont spend enough time with them off the field A good team is one where you get along with everyone Rather you have to Make sure you find certain things and bonds that ensure that we are moving in the same direction he explained