Go-to man Watson is relishing his dual role
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Feb. 19: All through his cricketing career, Shane Watson has had to re-invent himself. Arguably possessing the highest skill among the current crop of Australian cricketers, Watson’s ability to change the game with both bat and ball marks him out as special.
But then his brawny but ‘brittle’ body has been the major obstacle, having broken down at least 12 times in the past six years owing to various injuries.
In fact, Watson’s run-in with injuries had played on his mind so much that during Australia’s last tour of England, he had reportedly been haunted by ghosts when the team were staying at Lumley Castle, above the Chester le Street ground. There was another incident when he toured India with the all-rounder believing he had suffered a heart-attack, when it was just a case of food poisoning!
Naturally, he became the butt of jokes, but when it comes to cricket, there is nothing funny about Watson. Having had to change his physical routines, owing to his history with injuries, the 29-year old has stunningly transformed into one of the important cog in the Aussie wheels — as an opener and more than useful medium-pace bowler.
Watson enters the World Cup as the team’s leading run scorer and second-highest wicket-taker in the past two years. And he is the man skipper Ricky Ponting is hoping will re-invent their plunging fortunes.
“I now have lot more role within the team and that’s a part of it, batting long innings and then coming on to bowl perhaps 10 overs. It’s a big challenge and it will be good to play that role,” said Watson.
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