Five of Shane Watson's most terrible DRS calls

Perth Test, 2010

The year was 2010 and the third Test of the Ashes series was underway in Perth. England led the series 1-0 and Australia were in trouble at 36/3 in the first innings. Steve Finn rushed in and swung one at Shane Watson’s toe. The appeal for LBW was made and Watson was given out. He reviewed the decision. Hawkeye showed he was struck plumb in front of off-stump. Referral unsuccessful.

Watson repeated the blunder in the second innings of the same match when he was batting on 95. Chris Tremlett bowled it on a length and it swung back in to rap him on the pads. The decision was out. Watson reviewed it. The ball was crashing into leg stump. Referral unsuccessful.

Melbourne Test, 2010

Australia went into Melbourne after being defeated convincingly at Perth and it seemed to get worse for the hosts in the first session of Day 1 as they were shot out for a paltry total of 98 runs. James Anderson and Chris Tremlett lead the rampage with 4 wickets each as Australia folded pathetically. Watson was the first in the procession, edging to Pietersen off Tremlett for 5.

England replied with a massive 513, with Jonathan Trott remaining unbeaten on 168. There were timely contributions from Strauss, Cook and Pietersen, but it was Matt Prior’s late 85 that broke the back of the Australians. Watson trudged through 10 overs for 34 without a wicket. Australia trailed by 415 runs as they came back in the second innings, and the onus was on Watson to deliver.

Watson moved to a fluent 54 and Australia was in a solid position, at 99-1. After the next couple of sessions, however, they had little chance of making it a draw. Then Tim Bresnan came on to bowl. He pitched it just outside off stump, and Watson left it alone only to struck him flush on off stump.

The decision was quickly given as out. Watson, thinking he had been struck outside the line, reviewed it. The ball had struck right inside the line and would go on to hit the top of middle. Referral unsuccessful.

Ashes 2013

Watson’s woes continued in the 2013 Ashes. In the first Test at Trent Bridge, Stuart Broad bowled a full, swinging delivery which struck him on the front pad. Watson almost fell over trying to negotiate it. Umpire Aleem Dar gave it out immediately. Watson reviewed. Hawkeye showed the ball was hitting middle stump. Referral unsuccessful.

The second Test at Lord’s was perhaps the worst of the lot. Watson was struck plumb in front and Kumar Dharmasena had no doubt about it. Again, Watson didn’t think he was out and reviewed it. The ball was hitting leg stump flush. Watson had misjudged the ball so badly that there was an enormous gap between the bat and pad, and it was only because of the excess swing that he hadn’t been bowled. Referral unsuccessful.

Watson’s worst review ever came in the second Test of the 2013 Ashes

Watson was demoted down the order for the fourth Test at Chester-Le-Street, perhaps to guard him against the new ball. He walked in at 5 down and tried to engage in a partnership with Brad Haddin. But he was too restless. On his 10th ball, Watson walked across the stumps and tried to tickle the ball down to fine leg only to be struck in front – again. He was given out, and he reviewed it – again. Because Watson had moved across, he had been hit in front of middle stump. It was the easiest of decisions. Referral unsuccessful – again.

Australia sent Watson at 5 down to shield him against the new ball, but it didn’t work