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Watto probably needs a tap soon regarding his t20 with the thunder
gained a bit of weight, doesn't bowl, and looks like getting out any ball
good article below
the bits in red is surprising, Would walk into the top order today, easily
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/cri...sess-wattos-career/ar-BBROQUa?ocid=spartanntp
He was perhaps the most maligned Australian player of his generation, but more than three years after his retirement from Test cricket, maybe the recent struggles of Tim Paine’s side will cause the public to re-think their opinion of Shane Watson.
Forever the brunt of ridicule as an injury-prone LBW target who couldn’t get a DRS review correct if his life depended on it, Watson’s career record is looking pretty good compared to those that have followed in his footsteps.
The search for a batting all-rounder who can fill a spot in the top six and contribute 10-15 overs a day has confounded selectors for generations, with many tried and discarded over the years.
Indeed Watson is one of a select group of just nine players in Test history with more than 3000 runs at an average of at least 35, and 75 or more wickets at an average of lower than 35.
It’s a list that includes some of the all-time greats, including Jacques Kallis, Garfield Sobers and Imran Khan.
Of the 456 men to have played Test cricket for Australia, Watson is the only player to achieve the feat.
gs at the top of the order. For the three years he was Australia’s regular opening batsman (2009-2011) Watson averaged 43.67 with the bat and 25.50 with the ball, figures that stack up favourably against any player in history.
How Australia would kill for an opener with a batting average over 40 at present, let alone one who could roll his arm over as well.
“Absolutely, and that’s exactly why the Australian selectors continue to look for that all-round option,” Taylor said.
“You really want to pick six top-order batsmen, so if one of those six is also a useful bowler it gives you so much more flexibility.
“It might allow you to play two spinners if the conditions dictate, or lesson the workloads on the fast bowlers.
For decades the rising all-round stars in England were burdened by the label of being the “next Ian Botham.” It placed impossible pressure on the likes of Chris Lewis and Adam Hollioake, who inevitably fell short of expectations and disappeared without having a significant impact on the game.
According to Taylor, the fate of Lewis and Hollioake is a warning to Australian selectors as they look for the next Shane Watson.
“If you’re looking for an all-rounder, he has to be able to hold his spot based on one facet of the game alone.
“He either has to be a genuine front-line bowler, or a genuine top-six batsman.
“It’s one of the key reasons Mitch Marsh has struggled to find a regular spot this summer. He’s not in Australia’s best six batsmen, but he’s not one of our best three quicks either.”
Watson won’t be mentioned when the conversation turns to the best Australian team of all time. But they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and as the national side continues to struggle there’d be more than a few fans looking back wistfully and wishing a player of the calibre of Watson would come along once more.
gained a bit of weight, doesn't bowl, and looks like getting out any ball
good article below
the bits in red is surprising, Would walk into the top order today, easily
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/cri...sess-wattos-career/ar-BBROQUa?ocid=spartanntp
He was perhaps the most maligned Australian player of his generation, but more than three years after his retirement from Test cricket, maybe the recent struggles of Tim Paine’s side will cause the public to re-think their opinion of Shane Watson.
Forever the brunt of ridicule as an injury-prone LBW target who couldn’t get a DRS review correct if his life depended on it, Watson’s career record is looking pretty good compared to those that have followed in his footsteps.
The search for a batting all-rounder who can fill a spot in the top six and contribute 10-15 overs a day has confounded selectors for generations, with many tried and discarded over the years.
Indeed Watson is one of a select group of just nine players in Test history with more than 3000 runs at an average of at least 35, and 75 or more wickets at an average of lower than 35.
It’s a list that includes some of the all-time greats, including Jacques Kallis, Garfield Sobers and Imran Khan.
Of the 456 men to have played Test cricket for Australia, Watson is the only player to achieve the feat.
gs at the top of the order. For the three years he was Australia’s regular opening batsman (2009-2011) Watson averaged 43.67 with the bat and 25.50 with the ball, figures that stack up favourably against any player in history.
How Australia would kill for an opener with a batting average over 40 at present, let alone one who could roll his arm over as well.
“Absolutely, and that’s exactly why the Australian selectors continue to look for that all-round option,” Taylor said.
“You really want to pick six top-order batsmen, so if one of those six is also a useful bowler it gives you so much more flexibility.
“It might allow you to play two spinners if the conditions dictate, or lesson the workloads on the fast bowlers.
For decades the rising all-round stars in England were burdened by the label of being the “next Ian Botham.” It placed impossible pressure on the likes of Chris Lewis and Adam Hollioake, who inevitably fell short of expectations and disappeared without having a significant impact on the game.
According to Taylor, the fate of Lewis and Hollioake is a warning to Australian selectors as they look for the next Shane Watson.
“If you’re looking for an all-rounder, he has to be able to hold his spot based on one facet of the game alone.
“He either has to be a genuine front-line bowler, or a genuine top-six batsman.
“It’s one of the key reasons Mitch Marsh has struggled to find a regular spot this summer. He’s not in Australia’s best six batsmen, but he’s not one of our best three quicks either.”
Watson won’t be mentioned when the conversation turns to the best Australian team of all time. But they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and as the national side continues to struggle there’d be more than a few fans looking back wistfully and wishing a player of the calibre of Watson would come along once more.
