Shane Watson announces retirement from Big Bash League

Shane Watson, who is currently playing for Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 Indian Premier League, has announced his retirement from the Big Bash League. Watson, who was playing for the Sydney Thunder in Australia’s premier Twenty20 tournament, made the decision ahead of the 2019/20 edition. In a statement released by the official website of the Sydney Thunder, Watson said, “I have so many amazing memories that I will savour forever with the one standout being our win in 2016. I want to especially thank Nick Cummins, Paddy Upton, Lee Germon and Shane Bond who made my experience with the club so enjoyable. I will most definitely miss the support that the club gets from the Thunder Nation. Their unwavering support through the ups and downs inspires everyone and I will cherish that support deeply.”

Speaking about Watson’s retirement, Sydney Thunder head coach and former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond heaped praise on the dedication of the former Australian allrounder. “He was great to work with, he’s the ultimate professional. He cared about the team and the players and was hugely respected in the dressing room. We’re really going to miss what he brings to the team and he will be a big loss. For the young players at the club, he was very approachable, honest and you couldn’t ask for a better role model. We’d love to have him around in some capacity and there’s an open invitation to have him join us during the season,” Bond said.

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Watson ends his career with the Sydney Thunder having scored over 1000 runs but his crowning glory came in 2016 when he took 19 wickets and helped the side win the Big Bash League for the first time after starting the first couple of seasons at the bottom of the table.

The Australian allrounder has been in patchy form for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League but he bounced back in grand style with an aggressive 96 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the previous edition of the IPL, Watson blasted a century against the same opponents in the final to give Chennai Super Kings their third title and their first in seven years.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shane Watson is currently playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
• Sydney Thunder won the 2015/16 edition of the Big Bash League.
• Watson smashed 96 in his previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.