Shane Watson Announces Retirement From All Forms of Cricket

Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He announced his decision after the conclusion of his campaign with Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Shane Watson hung up his boots after an illustrious career, winning two Cricket World Cups and two ICC Champions Trophy titles. Watson retired from international cricket in 2016, but continued to play in franchise T20 leagues all over the world.

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Watson has represented Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League and has participated in the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League as well as a few others.

This closing chapter is going to be so hard to top, but I am going to try.
I truly am forever grateful to have lived this amazing dream.
Now onto the next exciting one…#thankyou https://t.co/Og8aiBcWpE

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) November 3, 2020

Watson made his ODI debut against South Africa in 2002 and played his last ODI against England in 2015. He scored 9 centuries and 33 half-centuries, scoring a total of 5,575 runs while picking up 168 wickets.

His T20 statistics are even more impressive. He has scored 10,283 runs and picked up 264 wickets in 398 matches.

Watson received congratulatory messages on his illustrious career from cricketers from all over the globe.

Congratulations on a wonderful career @ShaneRWatson33 you were one of the greatest all-rounders of modern day cricket, really enjoyed playing against you. Hope you have a great time and life post-retirement.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 3, 2020

The curtain closes on a remarkable @IPL career. Congratulations mate you’ve done yourself proud and made every team you’ve played in so complete. #ShaneWatson

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) November 2, 2020

🧢 59 Tests, 190 ODIs, 58 T20Is
💥 10,950 international runs
🏅 Player of the Tournament at 2012 T20WC
🏆 2007 and 2015 ICC Men's CWC champion

🇦🇺 Australian legend Shane Watson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Thanks for the memories, Shane 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9gQELTn724

— ICC (@ICC) November 3, 2020

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One of Watson’s most memorable rivalry over his career has been against Pakistani fast bowler, Wahab Riaz. Wahab Riaz bombarded Watson with short balls in Pakistan’ss match against Australia in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Watson was troubled throughout the spell but he managed to tackle the situation and took his team to victory.

Wahab shared his message for the legendary all-rounder:

And @ShaneRWatson33 calls an end on an amazing career. Honour to share the field with such a fantastic cricketer. Go well in retirement buddy! pic.twitter.com/Ca3QPFr1PH

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) November 2, 2020

Watson in numbers:

• Most runs for Australia at ICC Men’s T20WC: 537
• Fourth leading run-scorer for Australia in men’s T20Is: 1,462
• 10th leading run-scorer in T20 cricket: 8,821
• On the list of most sixes hit in T20 cricket: 467
• Highest individual ODI score by an Australia batsman: 185*
• In T20Is, Watson held the No.1 ranking for a record 150 weeks and was the first player to have held the No.1 ranking in both the batting and all-rounder categories
• He is the only player to score a century and take four wickets in an innings and was the first player to score a hundred and take a wicket in the same T20I
• Only Adam Gilchrist (261) has hit more sixes for Australia than Watson’s 245
• His 185* in ODIs is also the highest in a run chase
• Player of the Tournament at 2012 T20WC where he scored the most runs (249) and took the second-highest number of wickets (11)