Nov 17

Nov 17 Shane Watson: more than a DRS dummy

A look at the career of Australian Cricketer, Shane Watson: Were his talents under-appreciated?

At the crease is new writer Harry Vavasour, who opens up with a piece about the brilliant Shane Watson, perhaps remembered by England fans for his many dodgy DRS reviews. There was, however, far more to Watson’s game…

It is somewhat fitting that in the week that President Donald Trump challenged the US Election result, cricket’s most famous reviewer picked his moment to leave the game. Before Trump started tweeting about illegal votes and Democrat fraud, the more dignified Shane Watson hung up his boots after his final IPL season for the Chennai Super Kings.

He takes with him two winners’ medals from each of the World Cup, The Ashes, the Champions Trophy and the IPL, as well as two IPL Player of the Tournament awards. Such accolades are a testament to Watson’s talent, which made him a formidable prospect in the white-ball game.

White-ball breakthrough

With broad shoulders and a booming drive, Watson had the ability to take the game away from bowlers. When combined with his canny right-arm seamers and bucket-like hands, Watson was the complete one-day package.

It was in this form that Watson first broke into the Australia team. After making his debut in South Africa in 2002, Watson established himself in the middle order, only to be interrupted by a cruel succession of injuries.

On returning to the team, he took over the mantle from Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden as a destructive opener, becoming a regular in the side.

Watson was also a handy contributor with the ball. Equally happy in the opening powerplay or the middle overs, his economic style and ability to break partnerships saw him amass 168 wickets over 190 matches.

Shane Watson - No need to review that one.

Shane Watson - An international superstar

Watson’s finest moment came in 2011 when he produced a brutal 96-ball 185 not out, including 15 sixes, against Bangladesh. Throughout the innings, he showcased his wide array of shots, thumping bowlers to all corners of the ground with devastating authority. It remains the highest ODI score by an Australian and the highest score in an ODI run-chase.

The innings encapsulated Watson at his best, strutting around the crease and dismissing the ball to the boundary with a warm, yet competitive smile. It displays the power and purpose that saw him hold the position of best T20I batsman for 150 weeks and become the first Australian to hit a hundred in each format of the game.

Although his final season in India ended in disappointment, it is among the stars of the IPL that Watson showed himself to be among the world’s best. He is one of three players to have won the Most Valuable Player award twice and, as the first winner, was vital in establishing the tournament’s popularity.

Watson and his problems with the DRS

Yet, these achievements tell only half the story of a player whose Test career was plagued by issues with the Decision Review System (DRS).

In the longest form, Watson’s tendency to plant his foot allowed bowlers to trap him in front of the stumps 29 times throughout his career. Seemingly without fail, Watson would look in disbelief as the umpire raised his finger, before responding with the familiar ‘T’ signal for a review. More often than not, the technology would come back with three reds, leaving Watson with no choice but to trudge back to the pavilion, miffed by his misfortune.

Watson’s unsuccessful challenges brought particular joy to England fans. In the 2013 Ashes alone, Watson was out LBW four times, reviewing unsuccessfully each time. In all Ashes Tests, his DRS success rate was a pitiful one in nine. He was often taunted by the fans but took their ridicule with good humour.

A Cross-format trailblazer

However, his inability to solve his LBW issue undermined his Test career. Watson flirted with success, scoring four hundreds and taking 75 wickets across 59 matches, but failed to produce sustained periods of dominance. Aside from averaging 50 when promoted to open between 2009-2010, he struggled to nail down a position, batting everywhere from 1-7 in the order.

While many will see a Test career unfulfilled, Watson should reflect on his achievements. His cross-format career helped define the modern all-rounder and carry the game into the T20 era.

Unlike Trump, he retires with his head held high, now able to put his DRS problems behind him, unless he makes an unlikely return as an umpire in the future.

Check out more of our ever-growing Cricket content!