Shane Watson Announces Retirement From Big Bash League

Veteran all-round cricketer Shane Watson has announced his retirement from Big Bash League, calling time on his cricket career in Australia. The 37-year-old has taken the decision to spend more time with his family during summers. Watson captained the Sydney Thunder franchise even after his retirement from the international format of the game.

“Shane Watson was one of the most exciting short-form players ever to grace a cricket field,” Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said on Friday (April 26). “Talented, skillful and powerful, Shane was a devastating batsman at his best. It was only a few months ago he scored a century from just 62 balls for the Thunder against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

“In a career which spanned almost two decades Shane made a major contribution to Australian cricket firstly at international level and then in domestic cricket as a significant contributor to the Big Bash. His greatest quality was persistence, overcoming a number of sometimes serious injuries and curtailing his pace. He became a probing swing and seam bowler.