- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Yesterday, Shane Watson announced that he would be stepping down from the vice-captaincy position.
Commenting on the decision, Watson said: “making the decision to step down wasn’t easy but it’s something I’ve been thinking about since the Test series against India ended.”
“I think it’s the right time for a change for both the team and me. I’ll be honest and admit I wrestled with the decision for some time, however once I made up my mind, I informed Cricket Australia so the selectors could consider their options for the Ashes given the squads will be announced soon.
“I want to be the best Test player I can be for Australia and think I can do that by stepping down from the vice-captaincy to focus my attention on scoring runs, taking wickets and doing whatever is necessary to help the team achieve success. I won’t be the vice-captain in title but I think I can still be a leader and strong contributor around the group.
When Michael Clarke was announced as Ricky Ponting’s full time successor in 2011, it was controversial but not surprising.
However, the decision to make Watson Clarke’s deputy was even more controversial and left some in disbelief.
Not only did Watson at the time have little to no captaincy experience but he was the same age as Clarke.
Now that Watson is no longer VC, it gives the opportunity for younger players to fill into that position and be potential future captains once Michael Clarke retires.
The three players that I would personally consider if I was John Inverarity would be David Warner, Matthew Wade and Steve Smith.
Giving the vice-captaincy to Warner may not be as a stupid decision as many think. Warner is 26, he has had some captaincy experience in the T20 formats in recent times and being a part of the leadership group could change his attitude and somewhat fiery sledging nature on the field.
Giving it to Wade the keeper wouldn’t be the worse decision given his predecessors in Haddin and Gilchrist both have been in the VC position.
But personally, I believe Steve Smith has the best chance and is best suited. He has had a fair amount of captaincy experience.
He was the captain of the Sydney Sixers, leading them to victory in the inaugural Big Bash comp in 2011/12 and the T20 Champions League Trophy last September.
Smith has also revitalised his Test career against India in which he showed just how much he had improved and matured as a Test player.
Whoever the possible candidates are, the selectors must be much smarter about who to give it to.
As for Shane Watson, stepping down as VC will do him a whole lot of good. Yes he probably is no longer an automatic selection in the side and may not even be selected in the squad for the start of the Ashes series given his recent form.
But no longer being VC gives him much for freedom and less responsibility.
Before Watson was selected as VC, he was in the prime of his career.
During the 2009-2010 he was at his best and he was one of the very few bright lights for Australia during the 2010/11 Ashes.
He scored over 400 runs in the series. In the time he has been vice-captain, Watson has averaged barely 20 in Test matches and has failed to deliver.
But his form could turn around come the Ashes without the weight of captaincy expectation on his back.
31 is the age for most batsmen where they hit their career best form, for instance Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.
By the end of the Ashes in England, two things could happen.
Either Watson would have rediscovered the form that brought him two Allan Border medals or, Watson would have failed to make an impact and be dropped from the side, possibly ending his Test career.
One thing Watson must do however if he is to guarantee a spot this upcoming Ashes series is start bowling again.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.