A look at the career of Australian cricketer Shane Watson: Were his talents underestimated?
In the fold is the new writer Harry Vavasour, who opens with an article about the brilliant Shane Watson, perhaps remembered by England fans for his many dubious reviews of DRS. However, there was much more to Watson’s game…
It is somewhat fitting that in the week that President Donald Trump challenged the outcome of the US election, cricket’s most famous critic chose his moment to quit the game. Before Trump started tweeting about illegal votes and Democrat fraud, the most worthy Shane Watson hung up his boots after his last IPL season for the Chennai Super Kings.
He takes with him two winners’ medals from each of the World Cups, the Ashes, the Champions Trophy and the IPL, as well as two IPL Player of the Tournament awards. Such accolades are a testament to Watson’s talent, which made him a formidable prospect in the white-ball game.
Cue ball advance
With broad shoulders and booming momentum, Watson had the ability to take the game away from bowlers. When combined with his deft right-arm seamers and cube-shaped hands, Watson was the complete one-day package.
It was in this way that Watson first broke into the Australian team. After making his debut for South Africa in 2002, Watson established himself in the middle order, only to be interrupted by a cruel succession of injuries.
Returning to the team, he took over from Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden as a destructive starter, becoming a regular in the team.
Watson was also a useful contributor with the ball. Equally happy on the opening power play or in between, his economical style and ability to break partnerships led him to amass 168 wickets in 190 matches.
Shane Watson – An international superstar
Watson’s finest hour came in 2011, when he produced a brutal 185 not out from 96 balls, including 15 sixes, against Bangladesh. Throughout the innings, he displayed his wide range of shots, hitting bowlers in all corners of the ground with devastating authority. It remains the highest ODI score by an Australian and the highest score in an ODI chase.
The innings encapsulated Watson at his best, strutting around the crease and throwing the ball to the boundary with a warm but competitive smile. It shows the power and purpose that saw him take the top T20I batsman spot for 150 weeks and become the first Australian to hit a hundred in every format of the game.
Although his last season in India ended in disappointment, it is among the stars of the IPL that Watson proved to be among the best in the world. He is one of only three players to have won the Most Valuable Player award twice and, as the first winner, was vital in establishing the popularity of the tournament.
Watson and his problems with the DRS
However, these achievements tell only half the story of a player whose Test career was plagued by problems with the Decision Review System (DRS).
In the longer form, Watson’s tendency to plant his foot allowed bowlers to catch him in front of the stumps 29 times over the course of his career. Seemingly without fail, Watson stared in disbelief as the referee held up his finger, before replying with the familiar ‘T’ sign for a review. Most of the time, technology returned with three reds, leaving Watson with no choice but to return to the pavilion, upset by his misfortune.
Watson’s unsuccessful challenges brought particular joy to England fans. In the 2013 Ashes alone, Watson was out LBW four times, checking unsuccessfully each time. In all the tests, his DRS success rate was one in nine. He was often teased by fans, but he took his ridicule with good humor.
A pioneer of cross-format
However, his inability to resolve his LBW problem undermined his Test career. Watson flirted with success, scoring four hundreds and taking 75 wickets in 59 matches, but was unable to produce sustained periods of dominance. In addition to averaging 50 when he was promoted to the open between 2009-2010, he struggled to get a position, batting everywhere from 1-7 in the order.
While many will see an unsatisfied test career, Watson should reflect on his achievements. His career in various formats helped define the Moderna all-rounder and bring the game into the T20 era.
Unlike Trump, he retires with his forehead up, now able to put his DRS issues behind him, unless he makes an unlikely return as a referee in the future.