Profile
Shane Watson has endured a career that, had he been fit, could have been something truly special. A precocious talent all his life, Watson has time and time again fallen victim to an injury curse that has plagued him throughout his life.
A splattering of international matches in the mid 2000’s showed he was on the radar, but it wasn’t until the Ashes tour of 2009/10 that the all-rounder got his chance.
Back to back half centuries in his first match as an opening batsman indicated that he had developed the temperament to withstand the new ball.
Another successful series at home against the West Indies was only soured by the lack of a big hundred. Twice he fell with the milestone in sight, and it would be third time unlucky when he fell for 93 against Pakistan at the MCG.
It only took one more inning for him to bring up the elusive century. Usually a luckless individual, Watson was somehow dropped at gully on 99, with the misfield giving him enough time to scramble through for the all-important single.
Another near miss saw him dismissed for 97 in the 2nd test at the SCG, but all was soon forgotten when he made a gritty 126 in India.
His form in the shorter forms of the game has been simply breathtaking. Seven centuries in ODI’s, highlighted by 185 off just 96 balls, makes him one of the most feared batsman in the world. His big hitting has also characterised his T20 style, where he has a strike rate of just under 150.
