Watson scores rare Test hundred in Ashes finale

LONDON: Australia's Shane Watson scored just the third century of his 46-Test career when he reached three figures against England on the first day of the Ashes finale at The Oval in south London on Wednesday.

It was his first century in 25 Tests since he made 126 against India at Mohali in October 2010.

The 32-year-old Watson has often been criticised for a poor conversion rate given he has 23 times got to fifty in Test cricket but only twice before gone on to make a hundred.

This series saw Watson start as an opener and then move to number six before, with Australia having lost the Ashes at 3-0 down, he was switched to number three at The Oval after Usman Khawaja was dropped.

Watson was in fine form before lunch, reaching 80 not out at the interval.

He found runs tougher to come by in the second session and, on 91, was struck a painful blow on the side of his head unprotected by his helmet, after he took his eye off a Stuart Broad bouncer while trying to sway out of the way.

But a 41-minute spell in the 90s spanning 20 balls ended when he drove James Anderson for three through the offside to complete a near three-hour hundred in 114 balls with 16 fours and a six. (AFP)