Cricket: Watson the hero for Australia

Shane Watson celebrates after hitting the game winning runs. Photo / Getty Images

After playing the innings of his life, Shane Watson said cricket was only a game and revealed he would be heading to his home town of Ipswich to help those battling the Queensland floods.

Watson scored a career-best 161 not out as Australia pulled off the highest successful run-chase at the MCG in one-day international history on Sunday.

Kevin Pietersen's 78 in his comeback game after being dropped last year, and Brad Haddin's three missed stumpings, helped England score 294 in 49.4 overs.

Australia replied with 4-297 as Watson thrilled the crowd with a six, his fourth of the innings, on the first ball of the final over to kill off England's hopes.

Watson hit 12 fours and faced 150 deliveries in a stunning display, his fifth ODI century.

The Queensland-born all-rounder, who lives in Sydney, said he was keen to spend Monday and Tuesday in Ipswich.

"It's going to be heart-wrenching to see the devastation that's there, but my mind and my heart has been there," he said.

"It's going to be nice to be able to get up there and feel like I can help out in some way.

"It's nice to be able to put on a performance like this. Australia in general, not even just my home town, is inundated with water.

"I'm going up to Ipswich. I've organised a sausage sizzle down at Booval, which is one of the suburbs.

"The Bunnings (hardware store) was flooded a bit. We're just going to go around and try and lift some spirits in any way we possibly can."

Watson said he'd be in Ipswich for two days.

"Hopefully winning a game throughout this summer will give the people a bit more enjoyment than what was in the Ashes anyway," he said.

"I haven't really been thinking about cricket too much.

"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 really does free your mind when you're thinking about other things and it does put the game of cricket into perspective for what it really is.

"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."

The news wasn't all good on the field for Australia, as veteran Mike Hussey suffered what Watson described as hamstring stiffness while batting. But Watson expects Hussey to be fit for next month's World Cup on the sub-continent.

Watson, who is tipped to claim his second successive Allan Border Medal next month as Australia's player of the year, shared century partnerships with Brad Haddin (39) and Michael Clarke (36).

Looking exhausted at his post-match press conference, Watson paid tribute to vice-captain Cameron White (25 not out) for coaching him through the final few overs of the run chase.

With World Cup spots on the line just three days before the 15-man squad is due to be announced, Australia bowled poorly at times on Sunday and missed six chances in the field.

Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and spinners Smith and David Hussey took two wickets each for Australia who gifted England 14 wides.

Australia rested strike bowler Shaun Tait because of back stiffness while England left out veteran batsman Paul Collingwood.

Game two of the seven-match series is in Hobart on Friday.

SCOREBOARD

- AAP