Old guard pumped for Ashes campaign

Veteran allrounder Shane Watson wants to keep playing all three forms of cricket internationally and says the old guard in Australia's Ashes squad are highly motivated to get an elusive series win in England.

33-year-old Watson is one of several members of the recent victorious World Cup-winning team included in the Ashes party, who are probably looking at their last chance of playing in a triumphant Ashes away campaign.

Captain Michael Clarke 34, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, 37, and paceman Mitchell Johnson, 33, have all played in unsuccessful Ashes tours.

Outside of the World Cup squad, 30-year-old paceman Peter Siddle has had two fruitless Ashes campaigns in England and 37-year-old opener Chris Rogers and 35-year-old quick Ryan Harris one each.

And the ages of Ashes tour rookies Adam Voges (35), Fawad Ahmed (33) and Shaun Marsh (31) may count against them getting another chance to defeat the old enemy on their own soil.

Watson said winning a first Ashes away series since 2001 was a huge motivator for the senior members of the squad.

"One of the last final things to really tick off for a few of us older guys is an Ashes win away from home," Watson said on Friday.

"This will be my third (Ashes tour), so I certainly know what the experience is like when we lose.

"I know going over there we're playing a lot of really good cricket. We've got match winners throughout our whole team in the Test arena as well, so we're very excited about the prospects."

Before England, however, Australia must first tackle the West Indies.

Watson’s availability for the first Test in Dominica is unclear, as the allrounder awaits the birth of his second child with wife Lee.

The allrounder is set to join the squad in Dominica having returned home from the sub-continent for the birth, but will miss Australia’s warm-up match starting in Antigua on Wednesday.

"They've said that I don't have to play the tour game, but obviously there is going to have to be a certain amount of time for me to get there, if it works out that way, to be able to play the first Test," Watson said.

"Coming off playing Twenty20 cricket, and then it's a long flight and recovering from a long flight into a Test match, I'm going to have to have a decent enough sort of lead-up anyway to be right to go.

"But the most important thing for me right at this time is to be here for the birth of my second baby.”

Fast bowler Ryan Harris will not take part in the West Indies tour as he waits for the birth of his first child with wife Cherie, but will rejoin the squad in the British Isles.

Steve Smith arrived from India on Friday and Royal Challengers Bangalore quick Mitchell Starc - the last of the IPL contingent - is expected over the weekend.

Watson, who yesterday signed a three-year deal with Big Bash League side Sydney Thunder, said he had learnt a lot when he was dropped for a short time during the World Cup.

While Clarke and Haddin have announced their retirement from one-day cricket, Watson said he still loved representing Australian in all three formats.

"It is an absolute privilege and an honour to be able to do it," Watson said.

"l feel very fresh and keen to continue playing because I still feel I've got a lot of improvement to go."