Veteran Australian all-rounder Shane Watson eyes international cricket return

Shane Watson last played on October 18

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is looking forward to make an immediate return to the national side. He suffered from a calf injury during one of the One Day International matches against England this year.

Talking about his hunger to represent the national side once again Watson said, “Absolutely that hunger is still there as strong as ever. I am excited as I have ever been to get back into playing again. There is no doubt at the back end of the Ashes where I was at; mentally all the emotion of trying to deal with everything that was in and around the Ashes; everything that happened over that last 12 months had really taken its toll.”

The Aussie cricketer feels that he is fit to play again. He said, “I got back into running this week. I know the break that I have had even after the Matador Cup made a huge difference for me, to be able to freshen up.”

After his injury the cricketer had announced retirement from Test cricket in September. Last month in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, he once again suffered from the same problem and could not play rest of the tournament. Though the all-rounder did not bowl, he had scored 132 runs in five innings with an average of 33.

Watto believes that the break he got owing to this injury, was much needed. According to a report in Cricket.com.au, he said, “To have a proper holiday with the family for the first time for three or four years ... that alone has really re-energised my soul. I haven't had a chance previously to have any time off like that.” Watson had last played on October 18 and will return to the cricket field this weekend as he will play for Sutherland in Sydney grade cricket.

In the 190 ODI matches that Watson has played, he has scored 5757 runs with a highest of 185. As a bowler, in ODIs he has bagged 168 wickets with an economy rate of 4.95. Australia will play against India in the Victoria Bitter ODI series that starts on January 12 at WACA. That might be Watson’s perfect opportunity to make a comeback to the international cricket.