Quantcast

Watson to consider future after World T20

Allrounder revelling in various Twenty20 roles as he sets sights on silverware with Aussies

Shane Watson says he will make a decision on his international future at the conclusion of the ICC World T20 in India.

Quick Single: Five World T20 games you can't miss

But for now, the Australia allrounder insists he is "living the dream".

WATCH: Watson eyes coaching future

Watson admitted he was "pleasantly surprised" when he got the call-up for Australia's T20 side to take on India in January after he was overlooked for the preceding one-day international series.

With a record-breaking 124no in the final match at the SCG, Watson vindicated the selectors' faith and booked his ticket to the subcontinent as part of the 15-man World T20 squad.

WATCH: Shahzad powers Afghans to victory

Now, the 34-year-old has a golden opportunity to bow out of the international arena by winning the one global trophy that has eluded Australia.

"There's no doubt to win the T20 World Cup, we came very close in 2010 making the final, so that certainly would be an incredible thing to be a part of," Watson said on Tuesday.

Quick Single: Explained: Shield final venues and scenarios

"At this point in time I'm still just living the dream with the cricket that I'm able to play and the teams I'm able to play in.

"I'm not sure where that's going to take me in the short term.

"At the moment I'm loving the opportunity of being back in the Australian squad and hopefully we can win the T20 World Cup.

"We've got a bit of improvement to go and more consistency in how we're playing to give ourselves that chance, but we've got the talented squad here to be able to give ourselves the best chance.

"There's no doubt I'll have a bit of time to think about it (international retirement) after the T20 World Cup. I'll reassess from there."

WATCH: Big hitting steers Zimbabwe past Hong Kong

Watson announced his Test retirement last September following Australia's 3-2 Ashes defeat in England, ending a 59-match, decade-long career in the Baggy Green.

The two-time Allan Border Medallist said his injury-plagued body was not up to the physical demands of Test cricket, but vowed to continue playing the limited-overs formats.

While he looks to have played his last ODI – last year's World Cup final victory in Melbourne – Watson has starred in the T20 format as part of the Sydney Thunder's maiden KFC Big Bash League triumph.

An abdominal injury forced him out of the Pakistan Super League after only two games, the same injury that has kept him from bowling, but Watson is set to return to the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore this April.

Bangalore paid big bucks for the Australian, forking out AUD$1.98million to secure his services for the lucrative eight-week tournament.

"I know how incredibly lucky I am," Watson said. "While I'm still doing that, and still absolutely loving everything that I'm doing – whether it's playing for Australia or in other parts of the world as well … at the moment I'm just loving being part of it."