Talent alone is not enough to taste success at the International level. Who better to know this than Shane Roger Watson, who had all the ingredients to be a superstar, but could never realise his potential. It was a career dotted with many inspirational moments and then replete with blurry phases. Steve Waugh stated that Watson was possibly the first genuine all-rounder for Australia since Keith Miller.
Watson bid adieu to all forms of International cricket at the end of the World T20 2016. As he turns 35 today, we take a look at 5 of his most prolific international innings. This is our way to wish Shane Watson a very Happy Birthday.
#1 176 against England at the Oval
Australia had already lost the Ashes as they came into the fifth and final Test Match at the Oval. Captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat. Shane Watson sauntered in at number 3 and soon was on in full aplomb.
The stroke play was gentle and yet for the English bowlers it was like a brutal assault. In what had been bleak summer for the Australian batsmen thus far, the innings of Shane Watson was by all means a bright spark, and without a doubt was the best innings played in the summer. Although the match ended in a draw, the innings of Shane Watson left its mark.
And he even had a successful DRS review!
#2 136 against England (Champions Trophy 2009 Semi Final)
Shane Watson had a forgettable start to the campaign with two ducks in the initial phase of the innings, and was under intense pressure. But skipper Ricky Ponting had faith and stuck with him at the top of the order, and that faith was repaid when it mattered the most during the crunch moments of the tournament.
In the Champions Trophy semi-final against England, Watson came out like a man possessed and smashed his third century in One Day Internationals and helped Australia book a place in the finals.
He smoked 7 sixes and 10 fours en route his 132-ball 136. He had earlier picked up 2 wickets too with the ball. An emphatic way to announce his return to form!
#3 105 not out against New Zealand (Champions Trophy 2009 Final)
The Queenslander continued his red hot form into the finals too as he carved out another century. His unbeaten 105 in the finals helped Australia lift the Champions Trophy by defeating Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.
Chasing a target of 201, Watson buckled down, dropped anchor and played with caution against a potent Kiwi bowling attack which included Shane Bond and Kyle Mills. He cut down all the risk taking shots and played pretty much within himself.
This innings is still considered to be the best innings of Watson in a One Day Internationals, because of the fact that it came in a final and also because he displayed tremendous application.
#4 120 against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground
After enduring a frustrating period when he missed out on his century on more than one occasion, Watson finally got to the coveted score against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This came not without any drama, he was dropped on 98.
He scored 120 in the second innings, after being dismissed on 93 in the first innings. Australia set Pakistan 422 to win the test and won the match by 170 runs.
This win made Ricky Ponting the player with most wins by any Test player and the most victories for any Test captain. Certainly a momentous occasion for Shane Watson as for his captain!
#5 161 against England (Melbourne 2011)
Once again he reserved his best for England as he produced a sterling display of batting and chased down a total of 294 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
As an opener, he smashed 4 sixes and 14 fours as he got to an unbeaten 161 off 150 balls. Fittingly, he ended the match with a nonchalant six over long-off, after he kept his calm during the middle phase when the asking rate started to escalate. He masked the sluggish innings of Michael Clarke at the other end and kept finding important boundaries right through.
As has been a story for a major part of his career, this innings came after a series of half-centuries for Shane Watson.
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