Profile

Full name          Shane Robert Watson

Born                  June 17, 1981, Ipswich, 

                          Queensland

Current age      29 years 301 days

Major teams    Australia, Hampshire,             

                          New South Wales, Queensland,  

                          Rajasthan Royals, Tasmania

Nickname         Watto

Playing role      Allrounder

Batting style     Right-hand bat

Bowling style    Right-arm fast-medium

Height              1.83 m

To conquer international cricket, Shane Watson first had to beat his fragile body. He changed his training, preferring pilates to weights, gave up alcohol, but not his dream. It finally paid off in 2009, when he was chosen as a Test opener in the middle of the Ashes series. Many batsmen would have been uncomfortable with the promotion from the middle order, especially after failing when given the job with Queensland, but Watson has been used to re-inventing himself. In his first eight Tests in the new role he scored seven fifties and a 120. With a history of setbacks, it was not a surprise that his first Test century became such a drama, but after two scores in the 90s and an 89, he finally brought it up at the MCG - thanks to a single from a dropped catch. He has earned some luck.

Test debut, Australia v Pakistan at Sydney, Jan 2-5, 2005

ODI debut, South Africa v Australia at Centurion, Mar 24, 2002  

T20I debut, South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Feb 24, 2006

Batting statistics

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct
Tests	27	49	2	1953	126	41.55	3880	50.33	2	15	260	10	21

ODIs	133	114	24	3937	185*	43.74	4394	89.59	6	23	396	83	46
T20Is	22	21	2	455	81	23.94	306	148.69	0	4	34	26	7

Bowling Statistics

Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w

Tests	27	41	2601	1351	43	6/33	6/51	31.41	3.11	60.4	1	2
ODIs	133	116	4776	3864	133	4/36	4/36	29.05	4.85	35.9	3	0
T20Is	22	17	297	379	16	4/15	4/15	23.68	7.65	18.5	1	0

At the crease he is an aggressive brute with a broad chest, a right-handed disciple of Matthew Hayden, and someone who often doesn't need to follow-through to gain a boundary. However, his drives and pulls are delivered in a much smoother style than his former Queensland team-mate, though that won't be much consolation to Bangladesh's bowlers, who were bludgeoned to the tune of a record-breaking 15 sixes in an ODI in April 2011.

As a bowler he is willing and speedy, but not quite as good as he thinks he is, and is prone to post-delivery exchanges. He picks up handy wickets and delivers useful overs in all forms, although he is a run-getter first and not someone who would usually be picked on bowling alone. After years of doubt he has developed into a very modern, complete and enviable package.