- SHANE WATSON (2012)
Shane-sational. Australia has always had a romantic association with the name Shane as is evident from the names of the late Shane Leslie to the modern day Shane Harwood. However, the most efficacious Shanes of all Shanes are two individuals who have made it to the summit of the Cricketing Mount in their respective careers. Warne and Watson. While the apparent brashness of Warne stayed with him right through his cricketing career, Watson has mellowed down considerably, wisely realising and responding to the added responsibilities on his shoulders. Australia’s premier seam bowling all-rounder made his intentions clear from the outset of the tournament as he put up a terrific all-round display by scoring 51 runs (off 30 balls) and scalping 3 wickets in Australia’s first match against Ireland in Colombo. He once again etched his name on the score-sheet by scoring 41* (off 24 balls) in Australia’s Group B encounter against the eventual champions West Indies. The bat and the ball showed enough courtesy to obey Dr. Watson’s orders as he battered the Indians almost single-handedly in the Super Eight stage with 72 runs (off 42 deliveries) and 3 wickets.
He followed it up by caressing a sumptuous 70 (off 47 balls) against an extremely sturdy South African unit. Watson’s heroics with the bat faded away towards the business end of the tournament and Australia too was flogged at the hands of West Indies in the semi-final in Colombo. Despite the fact that the Aussies couldn’t qualify for the final, Watson’s astounding form throughout the tournament made him the most deserved candidate for the glittering ‘Man of the Tournament’ award for his tally of 249 runs at an average of 49.80 and 11 wickets. The number one ranked all-rounder in T20Is (according to the latest ICC rankings) is the only player in the history of the game to win four consecutive awards in an ICC Cricket World Cup competition (in 2011) and the lone cricketer to have have been adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the IPL twice (2008 and 2013). It’s sheer joy to see Watto collapse his back knee and hit the fuller balls for fluent square drives or lifted lofted shots into the stands with unmatched zeal.
