Shane Watson played for Australia from 2002-2016.
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson is one of the best all-rounders in the game to have come out in Australian cricket history who has achieved success across the world.
Having retired from international cricket in 2016, Watson is one of the best all-rounders in the game, has continued to entertain the cricket world as a T20 freelancer across the world.
In an illustrious career spanning over 18 years, the 38-year-old has played under some of the greatest skippers including the likes of Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Michael Clarke, and MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League).
The all-rounder was also an integral part of Australia’s 2015 World Cup-winning squad under Clarke, but then the captain wasn’t his favorite caption.
Speaking on a podcast with cricket.com.au, Watson has picked Ponting and Warne (Rajasthan Royals in IPL) as two of his favorite captains he has played under during the course of his illustrious career. He also lauded Ponting for believing in his abilities that filled him with immense confidence.
On being asked about the best captain he has played under on a podcast, Watson said: “For me, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne were my favorite captains and the best captains I played under. Both of them were very special. They just knew how to pull the right strings to elevate my performance and that was very special. They had incredible man-management skills, and tactically they were very good as well. Both were the greatest players that I've played with.”
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On Ponting, the former all-rounder said: “Ricky Ponting knew how to get the best out of me for sure. He was phenomenal. I think I was very fortunate to play under some very good captains. Shane Warne, I played under him at Rajasthan Royals for four years, he was a phenomenal captain. Tactically on and off the field. On the field from a man-management point of view, he was excellent.”
Hailing Warne’s tactical genius, the Aussie said: “I played under Shane Warne for Rajasthan Royals for four years. He was a phenomenal captain; there is no question. Tactically, on and off the field, and from the management point of view, he was incredible.”
Meanwhile, the all-rounder also recalled an interesting story about Ponting after Australia won the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies after thrashing Sri Lanka in the final.
Watson signed off by saying, “The support that I got all the way along, especially from Ricky Ponting in particular. He believed in me more than I believed on myself. I remember walking around the ground after we had won. I'm with the trophy and just him saying how happy he was that I was here with him after knowing that I missed the previous one.”
(With IANS Inputs)