An open letter to Shane Watson

Dear Watto,

Talent is a funny thing. Does it have to do more with ability, perseverance or intuition? As a young 20-year old Queenslander, selected for the one-day side, you oozed oodles of it. You were regarded as the next big thing in Australian cricket. Steve Waugh stated that you were possibly the first genuine all-rounder for Australia since Keith Miller. And Miller played half a century ago.

Talent and consistency can be a potent mix. It can make legends out of the ordinary. Sadly, the consistency has run out in recent times. It is frustrating that a batsman of your calibre failed to develop on good starts. You were prone to getting dismissed when you look set. And now, bowlers are dismissing you in a pre-devised manner. Whatever it is, a technical glitch or a psychological issue, you’re getting out to the same inswinging deliveries. The Australian fans have been baying for your blood, and it seems justified.

A Test average around 35 is a tricky number. It might seem decent, but decent isn’t the word to describe your ability. Your assured, upright drives are a treat to watch in any format. It’s unlucky that you started your career in one of the best teams of the generation. You hardly had time to settle in a pack of greats. With the new and rising Australian setup now, it is easier for youngsters to get a look in and elbow out experience.

But then, sadly, luck was never really on your side. Your struggle with injuries has been the talk of many Australian tabloids over the years, and the frequent injury breaks did more harm than good. Your bowling suffered the most. The inswingers steadily became bereft of pace. You’re one of the few players to have opened the batting and bowling in the same Test. You’ve taken back to back five-wicket hauls in Tests. But that was a while ago.

The frustration and sadness is not just because of the fashion of your dismissals. It is the sadness of a promise unfulfilled, of talent falling short. Your body broke down often. But you kept on fixing it.

Commitment lacking some would say? I wouldn’t think so. You travelled with a personal physiotherapist for tours, had calves’ blood injected for a speedy recovery, changed your training methods, even your lifestyle.

The shunting up and down the order didn’t help. You batted everywhere from 1 to 7. In the first Ashes Test this month, you batted at 6. In the series against India before the WC, you were three slots above. You performed consistently as an opener. That’s where you looked most comfortable. But with the departure of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, the middle order needed experience again.

The number 3 slot, a position you held in recent years, was the position in which you scored you career best. That 176, in the previous Ashes, was against the same James Anderson and Stuart Broad that trouble you now. The 78 against India in 2008, at number 6, was as impressive as the 126 against the same team at the same ground two years later.

There is no denying the fact that the current form isn’t inspiring and the youngsters do deserve a chance. Just like you got the Baggy Green, ten years ago. I hope that it’s not the last that we’ve seen of you in cricket whites. As impactful as a limited overs player you have been, hope you make a comeback and repeat similar feats in Test Cricket too.

Yours Sincerely

A cricket fan