Tributes pour in for the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as he announced his retirement

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday. He said that he would retire after the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. Since then, tributes have been pouring in for the talented allrounder in the social media.

Watson who retired from test cricket last year has been a wonderful cricketer for Australia over the years. Though injuries and inconsistent form have hindered his potential time and time again, yet he will be proud of whatever he has achieved in his career.

Watson was a part of the Australian squad which won the ICC Cricket World Cups in 2007 and 2015. He was also instrumental in helping Australia win their second ICC Champion’s Trophy in 2009 with exemplary performances.

He also won the Player of the Tournament award in the T20 World Cup in 2012 where he topped the run tally with 249 runs at a whopping 49.80 and was the second leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets at an impressive average of 16.00.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland also commended Watson on his fantastic career. "Shane should be proud of his contribution to Australian cricket," Sutherland said.

"At his best, he was a devastating batsman and skilful swing and seam bowler who thrilled crowds the world over. And to his enormous credit, he is the only Australian batsman to have scored centuries in all three forms of the game.” He also added. Watson also recorded his name in the history books by winning the prestigious Allan Border Medal twice as Australia’s cricketer of the year.

Current Australian skipper Steve Smith and teammate Glenn Maxwell led the bandwagon in the social media:

Congratulations @ShaneRWatson33 on a magnificent career for Australia. It has been an absolute… https://t.co/OTynMdQVPC
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) March 24, 2016

Massive congrats to @ShaneRWatson33 on an amazing career in all formats for Australia! You have… https://t.co/L5PITGXAHz
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) March 24, 2016

Watson’s former teammates also joined the bandwagon:

A great international career for @ShaneRWatson33 a great player and even better bloke!! Congrats mate and good luck! #willbemissed
— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) March 24, 2016

Congrats @ShaneRWatson33 on your career. To bounce back after injury & criticism so many times shows how much you wanted to play for Aus
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 24, 2016

Coach Darren Lehmann and former Australia cricketer Tom Moody also congratulated Watson on a magnificent career.

Congrats @ShaneRWatson33on amagnificent career buddy!It has been a pleasure to have played with and against you and to coach you. #greatman
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) March 24, 2016

Congratulations @ShaneRWatson33 on an outstanding international career, you've captivated us all with your all-round skills.
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 24, 2016

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also congratulated his former opponent:

Well done @ShaneRWatson33 on a terrific International career...Will miss your powerful stroke play,clever bowling and even your Reviews ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2016

The game of cricket will definitely miss a fierce competitor like Shane Watson. He was the last link of the golden generation of Australian cricket which boasted of players like Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and many others.