Shane Watson makes mathematical faux pas, still comes up with Man of Match effort

Australian Shane Watson is one of the most idiosyncratic characters ever to have walked a cricket field. It is hard to fault his skills with the bat or ball, but there are some things he does, even after sixteen years at the top level of the sport, which would draw titters even in junior-level cricket. His front foot’s propensity to get stuck between stumps and the ball is well known, almost as well known as his irrational usage of the Decision Review System. One more humiliating faux pas was to be seen from Watson in the CPL match between St Lucia Zouks and Jamaica Tallawahs - one which proved that the 35-year-old does not know how to count.

Coming to bat in the 16^th over, Watson was in fine six hitting form, combining with Darren Sammy to bring up 64 runs in the last 5 overs. However, something he did at the end of the 19^th over left his partner very bemused. Thinking that the 20^th over had been bowled, Watson punched his gloves with his batting partner and captain, and prepared to jog off the field.

Sammy, like everyone else in the ground, knew that there was one over to go and pulled Watson back. The two batsmen then had an exchange, with some double checking involved. The on-field umpires came to the batsmen’s rescue, confirming to them that was one over left after all.

Watson made full use of the extra over, smashing two sixes and adding 18 runs to the total. Ironically, St. Lucia Zouks won by 17 runs.

Watson finished the match with 42 runs off 17 balls, and with his additional haul of 1/26 in 4 overs, he was awarded the Man of the Match Award, mathematical faux pas notwithstanding.

With this match, the Florida leg of the CPL 2016 has come to a close, where the weather was said to be hotter than the players are used to playing in. The St. Lucia Zouks will now head to their Playoff 2 match against the Trinbago Knight Riders full of confidence and hopeful of victory.