During Australia’s opening match in the ICC Champions Trophy, BBC commentator Jonathon Agnew stated on air how Shane Watson looks were slowly catching up to his age.
When the baby-faced Watson first donned his coloured Australian cap over a decade ago he was surrounded by the likes of Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan and Shane Warne.
It was a great team to walk into, he was surrounded by experience, champions and players who knew how to win.
Watson’s role was simple; bat with free will and apply pressure with the ball, add to it the constant encouragement. More often than not he excelled and when he failed the greats around the team ensured the consequences weren’t catastrophic.
It was a nothing to lose situation for Watson and he thrived on such a wonderful opportunity. Since that moment Watson has always had freedom knowing his mistakes would be eradicated by others.
Over the past year you get the feeling Watson has suddenly realised he is core of the Australian batting and his mistakes often dictate the fortune of the match. Suddenly, he has tightened up and pressure has got the best of him; the freedom has been lost.
More often than not his best outings have come when the expectation were low or it is also case that Watson fails under pressure. The word responsibility is still unknown to him or deep down he knows he will not thrive with the extra burden of accountability.
Last year in the ODI series against India he was asked if he had ever captained before to which he stated, “No, maybe in under 10s.”
In the past 12 months there are clear signs that Watson needs the freedom and less of the constant monitoring by Cricket Australia and their team of scientists. In context of his career it will be seen as a backward step but it could be just what Watson needs to reignite his Test career.
Every occasion Watson has been advised by Cricket Australia not to bowl, it seems to affect his batting. Watson has stated in the past it is completely his own decision and not cricket Australia’s is a statement beyond a joke and a sign he has been pressured to follow strict guidelines.
The minute Watson decided to give us the vice-captaincy, the same night he scored a blistering hundred in the IPL and trundled in for a couple of overs. It was almost a sign of relief, independence and playing cricket with a mindset he has thrived upon.
It was a moment that kick-started his IPL and his form with the ball and bat was simply incredible, earning him the tag of the most valuable player.
Since reaching England he has carried on that form. In the warm-up match he scored a hundred and even against the loss to England he was Australia’s best bowler. No doubt, he is Australia’s number one cricketer in the short game and the reasons are execution and also freedom.
In his last Test series in India and even in the home series against Sri Lanka, Watson had been constrained by Clarke and the others. The opening role was taken off him and he was told his bowling needed to take a back seat. It just put more pressure on Watson, a scenario he doesn’t quite excel in. People might call it careless but not all cricketers survived in a trapped atmosphere.
The clash between Clarke and Watson could be seen from day one in India. Watson was seen fielding on the third man boundary half way through the day. Not a position Watson has fielded much in his career.
If he’s input was not needed then why was the burden on vice captaincy put on him? It certainly affected his batting and more importantly his mindset.
Clarke also entered the game as the same time as Watson, also had a similar entrance into the Australian team. But Clarke was seen as a future leader and perhaps he also expected Watson to follow in his path. This is where Clarke has made a mistake, he along with other Cricket Australia members have tried to complicate Watson’s role.
At 32, this Ashes series could be Watson’s last chance to cement himself as a Test cricketer.
Watson has failed to live up to the demands of Clarke and the team over the past couple of years but perhaps it’s time to take another approach and give him the freedom he needs to shine at the top.
It could determine if Watson has a career in the baggy green or only in coloured clothes.
Kev
Guest
Watson was inconsistent, injury prone and struggled to produce results at test level when he first came in, CA have done nothing but be patient and bent over backwards to accommodate him by changing his role and here we are 10 years later with a 32 year old who is still inconsistent, injury prone and struggles to produce results at test level and you think that CA's management of him is what has stopped him reaching his potential?
Trev
Roar Rookie
That's where I'd bat him. His bowling is important to us I think.
Jonty 23
Guest
I`m struggling to see the point of this article......Fact is we are waiting for a guy who is 32 ,playing international cricket for over a decade to finally reach his potential! Really? The problem with Watson is for far to long he has been the cause of to many selection problems when a player of his experience should be an easy selection. Barring fleeting moments he has never been nor never will a game breaker or match winner you expect from genuine all rounders or top order bats. History will judge him as an outstanding shorter form player and an average Test player. As for 3rd man,Clarke was hiding the guy because he is spud in the field!
English Dan
Guest
I remember a guy who was frightened to sleep in his own room on the 2005 Ashes tour because of ghosts?
gav
Guest
Aakash not every player succeeds in an responsible role. Read Matthew hayden or Gilli book and you understand the responsible role in the Australian team. The constant monitoring and entrapment is proving to be his downfall, take the pressure of him. I agree with your last sentence but their aren't any replacments so you need to change the current approach, the point of this article
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
He hasn't batted at 6 since his successful opening period of a couple of years back. It would be interesting to see how he would go against the old ball and more spin. Watson if picked has to open or bat at 6, no number 3 or 4
jameswm
Roar Guru
If he bats at 6 then his 40s and 80s are like gold.
Aakash bhat
Guest
This article doesnt make any sense. Players have to take the responsibility for the team. He is a senior player in the team.he needs to deal with pressure nd if he cant then there are always replacements.....
Disco
Roar Guru
Quite.
Trev
Roar Rookie
Even when he was opening the batting he wasn't turning his starts into hundreds, a bit like Cowan. I say his bowling offers more value too the team then his batting but we need him taking a major role with the bat as there is no one else really pushing to come in.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Guys Faulkner can't come in for Watto. Faulkner's batting is not good enough to bat in the top 6, whereas Watto's (theoretically at least) is. I certainly have not given up on Watto. As I've said many times on these boards, I really think he is a valuable cog in this Aussie team, batting at 6 and bowling as the 4th seamer. He has to be given, and to accept this role. He is a solid unit coming in at 6, technically correct and a hard hitter. Clarke at 4 (or 5) and rogers at 1, I think gives the batting order some backbone. I never thought Watto had the grey matter to captain. Let him worry about his play, that's enough for him to worry about.
Felix
Guest
As one of the last remaining Watson fans in the country and a yet to be converted Faulkner fan it's hard for me to say, but I think you're right Bearfax. I agree with the premise of the article that he seems confused with himself and his role in the team. I really do think he needs to open or not play at all. As an old management consultant told me, never try to fit the role to the person, fit the person to the role and I think we've been too accommodating for too long in that regard. Our tireless search for a bit part all round has turned up more coal than diamonds, our search for a solid opener has led us to David Warner, who if Watson doesn't play at 6 would be perfectly suited down there if you ask me.
Bearfax
Guest
I suspect if Australia is going to persist with an all rounder that Faulkner will take over from Watson by the end of the test matches with England. His figures at such a young age suggest a much better outcome with both bat and ball. Watson has the batting talent to destroy an attack but he too easily loses his wicket too early and too often these days. His bowling was very effective in breaking those difficult partnerships but how much can he now bowl without causing himself damage. He will continue to be effective in the shorter form of the game for years to come I suspect. But I suspect his test cricket career is coming to an end.
Nick
Roar Guru
+1
Mitcher
Guest
Did Watson actually thrive when he first came into the team though? I chiefly remember a guy who was either injured or under performing. Much the same as now.
Praveen
Guest
Well said maneesh
Maneesh
Guest
I have been supporting Aussies for a long time, since 1999. The 'attitude' needs some change. Being an Indian, it is still hard on me when my fellow Indians say why I support Australia, although I am not even Australian. The reason is their ability to come out of tough situations. They are in a tough situation, and I have faith in the Australian team. Regardless of what happens in the tournament or in the Ashes. All the best Australia!!!!