Shane Watson made 96 for the Chennai Super Kings yesterday.
His first half-century in the IPL this year was another glorious chapter in one of cricket’s more quixotic and underappreciated careers.
When thinking of Shane Watson, two memories spring to mind.
The first was an article from when he was first picked, way back when he played for Tasmania. Replacing Steve Waugh for a tour of South Africa the headline rather uncharitably asked, ‘Who the hell is Shane Watson?’
The second was an ODI against England at the MCG in January 2011. In the days before chasing large totals was the norm, Watto cracked 161 not out off 150 balls as the Aussies chased 294.
Sitting in the crowd, I was in awe at a masterful display of hitting. It was a display that was largely forgotten in the aftermath, which mostly focused on the crowd booing captain Michael Clarke as he struggled to 36 off 57 balls.
These two moments were symptomatic of the wider reception Watson received as an Australian cricketer.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
There were those times he was criticised heavily for not turning 50s into centuries in Tests.
What his critics overlooked was that he was still making more runs than most of his colleagues.
His Test career might not have hit the heights, but his limited overs record will live on as testament to his quality.
Chasing 176 for victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad yesterday, Watson started slow with his Chennai Super Kings team-mates. At one point, the required run rate ballooned to almost ten an over.
Watson exploded in the final ten overs, combining explosive sixes with deft boundaries. When he fell, Chennai only needed 16 off 18, which they made without the assistance of master chaser MS Dhoni.
Having never felt invested in the Big Bash, one can’t avoid the IPL when living in India.
Embracing the theatre, I have been able to experience Watto anew. Innings such as last night show that he will be missed.
Peter Warrington
Guest
... averaged 41 opening... Burns averages 40... Watto opened the batting in just less than half his tests... ... averaged 26 batting 6... Mitch Marsh levels and you wonder why he and others thought he was best at the top of the order...? anyway, stick to your guns....
jose
Roar Rookie
I dont know why there were so many Watson haters in social media. May be it was frustrated Aussie fans who were fed up with Watson. I remember seeing "Shane Watson Depreciation Society" (as a group) in Facebook once ;)
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I don’t really care what his record was @6. He managed 4 hundreds for 109 innings with the vast majority of those innings opening. A whole lot of spin required to suggest those figures equal an opening test bat. Jesus, poor Joe Burns has 4 test tons and only been given 28 opportunities.
AREH
Roar Guru
His best work was done at the top of the order in the test side?
matth
Roar Guru
One of our greatest limited overs players.
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
Clarke etc killed Watto He was expected to cover for failure of bowling or batting. Always a mystery why Clarke would not bowl a few overs to cover for him if hamstring tight etc
Peter Warrington
Guest
it's been done to death but seeing as you are there can you show the stats that compare his record at 1-2 and even 3 with 6-7?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
If only he was happy to be playing @ 6 for the test team he probably wouldn’t have been criticised at all. He simply wasn’t a test opening bat.
U
Roar Rookie
The poor returns from Mitch Marsh in 31 tests makes Watson’s test career look a whole lot better.
Peter Warrington
Guest
no division. Ponting and I knew he was a superstar.
josh
Roar Rookie
Ah Watto... Once divisive, I think we can all enjoy his autumn belting second rate attacks.
Peter Warrington
Guest
If he had played all his tests under Ponting he would be our second best all rounder ever by the proverbial Probably is anyway and a cracking 18 months smashing everyone at the top of the order. All those 90s aren’t 50s, they are virtually tons Lots of love for Watto at our house
Peter
Roar Rookie
Great pair of hands in the slips.
Graham
Guest
his record in the shorter formats is absolutely excellent but in Australia you get judged all round as a cricketer by how you perform in tests (where he was decent when bowling to be fair) look at the marsh brothers who are decent in odis and t20s but have struggled in tests as well
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Saw the highlights this morning. Watto was clubbing it to all parts.
Paul
Roar Guru
Watson was a bit of an enigma cricketer at Test level at least. Hugely talented, yet in 59 Tests, made only 4 centuries. He also made 24 scores of fifty or better and the lamenting was the waste of good starts. I'm sure he wasn't helped by being a genuinely quick bowler in his young days as well as a good bat. This cause huge expectations to be put on him which in turn led to injuries and that led to the poor guy had such an on/off career. Great to see him enjoying himself in his latter years and getting a few bob for doing it.
AREH
Roar Guru
Vintage Watto performance - was waiting for him to kickstart this IPL campaign. As you point out, people were always so quick to lament the test career of this guy because it may not have reached the heights it could've. Yet the current Australian setup would kill for a number six boasting Watson's test numbers.