Shane Robert Watson (born 17 June 1981 in
Ipswich, Queensland) is an
Australian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-handed fast medium bowler. He mainly bats as an opener in international cricket, although he does not do so domestically.
He debuted for the
Australian cricket team in 2002, playing his first One Day International against South Africa. While he has become a regular member of the one-day squad, Watson has played few Test Matches for Australia, having debuted against
Pakistan at the
Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2005. Despite being allocated to be Australia's designated Test all-rounder, injuries have often prevented him from claiming his position in the Test team. However, from the second half of 2009, Watson has acted as Australian Test opening batsman, along with
Simon Katich. Watson was awarded the 2010
Allan Border Medal and again in 2011 thus joining him as the second player to win back-to back
Allan Border Medals since
Ricky Ponting in 2006 and 2007.
Watson's wife Lee, whom he married in June 2010, is a
Fox Sports Australia presenter.
Playing career
Early career
Watson started his
first-class cricketing career for
Tasmanian Tigers after leaving his home state of
Queensland, but returned to play for his native
Queensland Bulls as his international career was beginning. He has also played for
Hampshire in the English
County Championship. He regards
Terry Alderman as one of his mentors.