Watson: don't single out Mitch

Brisbane - Australian opening batsman Shane Watson has defended paceman Mitchell Johnson after a frustrating day for the Australian bowlers which saw just one wicket fall at the expense of 290 runs.

Johnson boasted ahead of the Ashes that he would target Andrew Strauss but rarely threatened him Sunday while the England captain made 110 runs as the tourists reached 309-1 at stumps on the fourth day.

After a sub-par 2009 Ashes, Johnson is still to register his first wicket of this series and has had the worst economy rate in both innings.

But Watson, who also serves as a part-time paceman for Australia, said all of the team's bowlers should share the blame for the lack of wickets in England's second innings.

"I don't think you can single out Mitch," Watson said. "All the bowlers didn't bowl particularly well.

"I was bowling one loose ball an over and that's my job to tie up one end and let the others attack," he said. "It comes down to execution and bowling exactly where we want to."

With Australia still just 88 runs behind, Watson is hoping his side can regroup for a strong first session on the final day and set up a possible victory.

"We are still in the game, but we need to turn it around very quickly," Watson said. "We still need nine wickets, which seems a long way away after today.

"We've seen the game ebb and flow through the four days so far. I think it's going to be the same way throughout the series. Let's hope it goes our way tomorrow."