Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
playername	Murali Vijay
country	India
fullname	Murali Vijay Krishna
living	true
dayofbirth	1
monthofbirth	4
yearofbirth	1984
placeofbirth	Madras, Tamil Nadu
countryofbirth	India
batting	Right-handed
bowling	Right arm off break
role	Batsman
international	true
testdebutdate	6 November
testdebutyear	2008
testdebutagainst	Australia
testcap	260
lasttestdate	6 July
lasttestyear	2011
lasttestagainst	West Indies
odidebutdate	27 February
odidebutyear	2010
odidebutagainst	South Africa
odicap	181
lastodidate	18 January
lastodiyear	2011
lastodiagainst	South Africa
t20idebutdate	1 May
t20idebutyear	2010
t20idebutagainst	Afghanistan
lastt20idate	9 January
lastt20iyear	2011
lastt20iagainst	South Africa
club1	Tamil Nadu
year1	2005– present
club2	Chennai Super Kings
year2	2009– present
columns	4
column1	Tests
matches1	12
runs1	609
bat avg1	30.45
100s/50s1	1/2
top score1	139
deliveries1	0
wickets1	–
bowl avg1	–
fivefor1	–
tenfor1	–
best bowling1	–
catches/stumpings1	10/–
column2	ODIs
matches2	11
runs2	196
bat avg2	17.81
100s/50s2	0/0
top score2	33
deliveries2	0
wickets2	–
bowl avg2	–
fivefor2	–
tenfor2	–
best bowling2	–
catches/stumpings2	6/–
column3	FC
matches3	43
runs3	3,309
bat avg3	47.95
100s/50s3	8/14
top score3	243
deliveries3	186
wickets3	1
bowl avg3	118.00
fivefor3	0
tenfor3	0
best bowling3	1/16
catches/stumpings3	44/–
column4	LA
matches4	47
runs4	1,841
bat avg4	40.02
100s/50s4	6/6
top score4	115
deliveries4	209
wickets4	7
bowl avg4	26.28
fivefor4	0
tenfor4	0
best bowling4	3/13
catches/stumpings4	25/–
date	14 July
year	2011
source	http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-india-2011/content/player/237095.html ESPNCricinfo }}

Murali Vijay Krishna () (born April 1, 1984 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India) is an Indian cricketer. He is a right-handed opening batsman for Tamil Nadu, Chennai Super Kings and India.

Test career

Vijay made his Test debut against Australia in the Fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in Nagpur, in November 2008. He was selected for the match after Gautam Gambhir received a one-Test ban for elbowing Shane Watson in the Third Test of the same series in Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.

Of Vijay's technique, former Australian captain Allan Border said "His defensive shots are so assured. And he looks comfortable of both front and back foot. And when he attacks, he doesn't go hard at the deliveries. I can see why this young man is playing".

Vijay partnered Virender Sehwag, and they got India off to a solid start in both innings. Vijay made 33 and 41, contributing to opening stands of 98 and 116. During Australia's first innings, Vijay caused the first wicket to fall, running out Matthew Hayden with a direct hit from mid on. Hayden was attempting a quick single. He then ran out Michael Hussey when fielding at silly point. Hussey was unaware that Vijay had intercepted the ball at close range and instinctively took a step out of his crease in anticipation of a run, by which time Vijay threw down the stumps. In the second innings, he caught Brett Lee at bat pad from the bowling of Harbhajan Singh to complete his first catch.

Following his performance in his debut Test, Vijay was selected for the Indian ODI squad for the first three matches against the touring England team. He did not get to play, and was dropped after the first three matches upon the return of senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar from a break.

In December 2009, Vijay was given another opportunity in the Test team when Gambhir withdrew from the Third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in order to attend his sister's wedding. Vijay took two catches at bat pad from Harbhajan in Sri Lanka's first innings. When India replied, he put on 221 for the first wicket with Sehwag, but was out for 87 in sight of his maiden Test century. The Indians went on to complete an innings victory, and become the number 1 Test team.

Vijay was taken on the tour of Bangladesh in January 2010 as the reserve batsman, and he was called into the team after V. V. S. Laxman injured a finger in the First Test. Vijay played in the Second Test in Mirpur in Laxman's No. 5 position, scoring 30. In the same match, No. 3 batsman Rahul Dravid was injured after being hit under the jaw by a bouncer, so Vijay then played in Dravid's position in the two-Test home series against South Africa.

He was later selected as the reserve opener for away series against Sri Lanka in August 2010 and the home series against Australia in October 2010. He played in the Second and Third Tests against Sri Lanka after Gambhir was injured. He got another opportunity when Gambhir, was injured in the first match against Australia and was ruled out of Second Test. Vijay scored 139 runs in the first innings, his maiden Test century, featuring in a triple century partnership with Tendulkar. Vijay and debutant Cheteshwar Pujara added 72 runs crucial partnership which helped India complete a 2–0 series win.

ODI career

Vijay debuted in ODIs against South Africa in the third and final one dayer on Feb 27 2010. He scored a brisk 25 runs off 16 balls.

He started a full series during a tri-nations tournament in Zimbabwe when India rested most of the first-choice team. Vijay performed poorly and was dropped for India's fourth match as they came last behind Zimbabwe.

Vijay was selected for New Zealand 5 ODI series 2010 and he played first 3 ODI in which he scored an average of 30. Later, he was replaced by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel for other 2 ODI matches.

International T20 career

Vijay was selected for 2010 ICC World Twenty20. He fared poorly in India's disastrous campaign averaging just below 15 and failing to provide good starts in all the matches.

IPL career

Murali plays for IPL franchise from his home town Chennai Super Kings. He was one of the key performers for Chennai in the 3rd edition of IPL in 2010 when Chennai were crowned champions. His first century for Chennai Super Kings was in the third season of the IPL where he scored 127 runs of 56 balls against the Rajasthan Royals. He was awarded the Man of the Match. In the same year, Vijay had prolific run in the Champions League T20 held in South Africa. Vijay was the top scorer of the tournament with 294 runs. He was instrumental in Chennai winning the cup.

In the fourth season of IPL, he was the man of the match in finals and helped Chennai Super Kings to win the IPL trophy for the second time in a row. He scored 95 of 52 balls with 4 fours and 6 sixers with a blistering strike rate of 183.

External links

Cricinfo profile: Murali Vijay

CricketArchive profile

References

Category:1984 births Category:Indian cricketers Category:India Test cricketers Category:India One Day International cricketers Category:India Twenty20 International cricketers Category:Central Districts cricketers Category:Tamil Nadu cricketers Category:Living people Category:Chennai cricketers

ml:മുരളി വിജയ് mr:मुरली विजय ta:முரளி விஜய்

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
playername	Chaminda Vaas
country	Sri Lanka
fullname	Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas
nickname	Vasy
living	True
dayofbirth	27
monthofbirth	1
yearofbirth	1974
placeofbirth	Mattumagala
countryofbirth	Sri Lanka
heightft	5
heightinch	10
batting	Left-handed
bowling	Left arm fast medium
role	Bowler
international	true
testdebutdate	26 August
testdebutyear	1994
testdebutagainst	Pakistan
testcap	63
lasttestdate	20 July
lasttestyear	2009
lasttestagainst	Pakistan
odidebutdate	15 February
odidebutyear	1994
odidebutagainst	India
odicap	75
lastodidate	27 August
lastodiyear	2008
lastodiagainst	India
club1	Colts Cricket Club
year1	1990/91–present
club2	Hampshire
year2	2003
club3	Worcestershire
year3	2005
club4	Middlesex
year4	2007
club5	Northamptonshire
year5	2010
clubnumber5	6
columns	4
column1	Test
matches1	111
runs1	3,089
bat avg1	24.32
100s/50s1	1/13
top score1	100*
deliveries1	23,438
wickets1	355
bowl avg1	29.58
fivefor1	12
tenfor1	2
best bowling1	7/71
catches/stumpings1	31/–
column2	ODIs
matches2	322
runs2	2,025
bat avg2	13.68
100s/50s2	0/1
top score2	50*
deliveries2	15,775
wickets2	400
bowl avg2	27.53
fivefor2	4
tenfor2	n/a
best bowling2	8/19
catches/stumpings2	60/–
column3	FC
matches3	212
runs3	5,967
bat avg3	26.40
100s/50s3	4/28
top score3	134
deliveries3	38,887
wickets3	724
bowl avg3	24.63
fivefor3	31
tenfor3	4
best bowling3	7/28
catches/stumpings3	57/–
column4	LA
matches4	407
runs4	3,212
bat avg4	16.64
100s/50s4	0/8
top score4	76*
deliveries4	19,297
wickets4	504
bowl avg4	26.52
fivefor4	4
tenfor4	n/a
best bowling4	8/19
catches/stumpings4	83/–
date	25 June
year	2011
source	http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2165/2165.html CricketArchive }}

Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas (Sinhala:වර්නකුලසුරිය පටබැන්දිගේ උශාන්ත ජොසප් චමින්ද වාස්), (born 27 January 1974 in Mattumagala), usually known as Chaminda Vaas, is a Sri Lankan cricketer who is regarded as being the best fast bowler to come out of the country - he has been described as the 'most penetrative and successful new-ball bowler Sri Lanka have had'. In 2004 he gained recognition for his talent when he was selected for the World Test and one-day XI at the inaugural ICC Awards. He was once again selected for the World Test XI at the 2005 awards.

Playing style

He is a left arm swing bowler. Vaas used to open the bowling for Sri Lanka and is noted for his in-dipper. Also among his arsenal is an off cutter which is well disguised. He has added reverse-swing to his armoury, a skill that has made him a consistent wicket-taker even on bland subcontinental pitches. Although his pace has dropped over the years, he has masterful control of line and length. Vaas is also a useful batsman down the order, and has reached 3,000 Test runs, including 13 Test half-centuries and a century. Only 11 bowlers in Test history to have taken 200 wickets have scored more runs than Vaas . As a fielder, he is noted for his strong arm.

Career highlights

A past student of the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Colombo, he made his debut for the Sri Lankan cricket team in 1994. He made an impact in his first year of international cricket as he helped Sri Lanka to their maiden Test Match victory away from home, against New Zealand at Napier. Vaas took 5-47 in the first innings and 5-43 in the second.

In 2001-02 he took 26 wickets in a series win against the West Indies. This included a match haul of 14 wickets, a feat only achieved by two fast bowlers in the subcontinent, the other being Imran Khan. He was recently selected for the Afro Asia cup but dropped out due to county commitments.

At the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, held in the South Africa, Vaas nipped out 23 wickets, becoming the outright leading wicket taker in the tournament. This included a best of 6-25 against Bangladesh, where Vaas also took a hat-trick with the first three deliveries of the Bangladesh innings.

In 2004, Vaas was also selected for the ICC World XI at the inaugural ICC awards.

On 26 June 2007 he made his maiden test century, playing against Bangladesh he hit 100 not out in a total of 577-6 declared in Colombo. This came in his 97th Test Match, which at the time was a record for the most number of Tests before scoring a maiden century (since overtaken by Anil Kumble). Soon after in November 2007, Vaas played his 100th Test match against England, in what was also Sanath Jayasuriya's final Test match for Sri Lanka.

In August 2008, Vaas crossed yet another landmark, when he had Yuvraj Singh caught off his bowling in the fourth One Day match. Yuvraj Singh became Vaas' 400th ODI victim, by doing this Vaas joined the illustrious company of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and his team mate Muttiah Muralitharan as being the only bowlers in international cricket to have taken 400 ODI wickets.

He is now retired from Test Cricket, with the 3rd Test against Pakistan as his last Test Match.

Records

Chaminda Vaas is Sri Lanka's most successful fast bowler ever, having taken over 300 Test wickets. He has been the head of the Sri Lankan bowling attack for many years. He achieved his 300th wicket on 12 December 2005 against India, becoming just the second Sri Lankan bowler to do so, after Muttiah Muralitharan. He has also taken 400 One Day International wickets, again only one of two Sri Lankans to do so. As of the 30th of March 2007 only 3 bowlers have taken more ODI wickets.

Most notably, Vaas holds the record for the best bowling figures in one-day international cricket, 8 for 19 off eight overs against Zimbabwe at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in 2001. Vaas took the first eight wickets of Zimbabwe's then record-lowest ODI innings of 38, with Muralitharan taking the final two wickets in his first over. It remains the only eight-wicket haul in ODI history.

Vaas has taken two ODI hat tricks in his career, the third of only four players to have achieved the feat. The first was taken as part of his 8/19 spell against Zimbabwe in 2001; the second came during the 2003 World Cup against Bangladesh, and was achieved with the first three balls of the game. This had never before been seen in One Day International cricket.

Club Cricket

He had joined Middlesex County Cricket Club for the 2007 cricket season as an Overseas registration. In 2009 he played some matches in P.Sen trophy for Mohun Bagan. He also joined Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for the 2010 T20 competition and found himself in the unusual position of opening the batting although he did well recording three half centuries. He is set to join Northants for the entire 2011 season.

Personal life

Vaas is Roman Catholic and is known to pray before every game. He intended to become a priest at a young age but believed that God wanted him to play cricket instead: "I seriously considered going into the priesthood, which would have meant 12 to 14 years of study. But then cricket began to take over. I think that God created me as a cricketer, so I am happy that that's my calling."

According to Bill Frindall, scorer and statistician for BBC Radio's Test Match Special, Chaminda is actually his penultimate given name, therefore his initials should read WPUJC.

Test Centuries

The following table illustrates a summary of Test centuries scored by Chaminda Vaas

In the column Runs, * indicates being not out

The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"100%" !colspan=7| Test Centuries of Chaminda Vaas |- ! width="40"| !! width="50"|Runs !! width="50"|Match !! width="100"|Against !! width="200"|City/Country !! width="200"|Venue !! width="50"|Year |- | [1] || 100* || 97 || Bangladesh || Colombo, Sri Lanka || Sinhalese Sports Club Ground || 2007 |- |}

Half Centuries

Test Half Centuries

In the column Runs, * indicates being not out

The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

{|class="wikitable" style= ="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"100%" !colspan=7|Test Half Centuries of Chaminda Vaas |- ! width="30"| !! width="30"|Runs !! width="30"|Match !! width="85"|Against !! width="165"|Venue !! width="40"|Year |- | [1] || 51 || 6 || New Zealand || Dunedin, New Zealand || 1995 |- | [2] || 57 || 15 || New Zealand || Dunedin, New Zealand || 1997 |- | [3] || 53* || 35 || Pakistan || Rawalpindi, Pakistan || 2000 |- | [4] || 54 || 41 || South Africa || Galle, Sri Lanka || 2000 |- | [5] || 74* || 56 || Zimbabwe || Colombo, Sri Lanka || 2001 |- | [6] || 72* || 57 || Zimbabwe || Kandy, Sri Lanka || 2002 |- | [7] || 68* || 73 || Australia || Kandy, Sri Lanka || 2004 |- | [8] || 69 || 79 || South Africa || Galle, Sri Lanka || 2004 |- | [9] || 65 || 88 || Bangladesh || Colombo, Sri Lanka|| 2005 |- | [10] || 50* || 91 || England || Lord's, England || 2006 |- | [11] || 64 || 94 || South Africa || Colombo, Sri Lanka || 2006 |- | [12] || 90 || 102 || England || Galle, Sri Lanka || 2007 |- | [13] || 54* || 103 || West Indies || Providence, West Indies || 2008 |- |}

ODI Half Centuries

In the column Runs, * indicates being not out

The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

{|class="wikitable" style= ="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"100%" !colspan=7|ODI Half Centuries of Chaminda Vaas |- ! width="30"| !! width="30"|Runs !! width="30"|Match !! width="85"|Against !! width="165"|Venue !! width="40"|Year |- | [1] || 50* || 157 || Pakistan || Sharjah, UAE || 2001 |- |}

Career Best Performances

''as of 27 July 2010'' {|class=wikitable style="font-size:90%" |- !rowspan="1"| !colspan="4" rowspan="1"|Batting !colspan="4" rowspan="1"|Bowling |- ! !Score !Fixture !Venue !Season !Score !Fixture !Venue !Season |- |Tests |align="center"|100* |Sri Lanka v Bangladesh |Colombo (SSC) |align="center"|2007 |align="center"|7-71 |Sri Lanka v West Indies |Colombo (SSC) |align="center"|2001 |- |ODI |align="center"|50* |Sri Lanka v Pakistan |Sharjah |align="center"|2001 |align="center"|8-19 |Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe |Colombo (SSC) |align="center"|2001 |- |T20I |align="center"|21 |Sri Lanka v Australia |Cape Town |align="center"|2007 |align="center"|2-14 |Sri Lanka v Bangladesh |Johannesburg |align="center"|2007 |- |FC |align="center"|134 |Colts v Burgher |Colombo (SSC) |align="center"|2004 |align="center"|7-54 |Western Province v Southern Province |Colombo (RPS) |align="center"|1999 |- |LA |align="center"|76* |Colts v Nondescripts |Colombo (SSC) |align="center"|2009 |align="center"|8-19 |Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe |Colombo (SSC) |align="center"|2001 |- |T20 |align="center"|73 |Northamptonshire v Durham |Northampton |align="center"|2010 |align="center"|3-16 |Northamptonshire v Nottinghamshire |Trent Bridge |align="center"|2010 |}

See also

2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team

References

External links

Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Sri Lanka Test cricketers Category:Sri Lankan cricketers Category:Sri Lanka One Day International cricketers Category:Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricketers Category:One Day International hat-trick takers Category:ACC Asian XI One Day International cricketers Category:Basnahira North cricketers Category:Colts Cricket Club cricketers Category:Hampshire cricketers Category:Middlesex cricketers Category:Northamptonshire cricketers Category:Worcestershire cricketers Category:Cricketers at the 1996 Cricket World Cup Category:Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup Category:Cricketers at the 2003 Cricket World Cup Category:Deccan cricketers Category:Sri Lankan terrorism victims Category:Sri Lankan Roman Catholics Category:MCC cricketers

bn:চামিন্দা ভাস et:Chaminda Vaas fr:Chaminda Vaas mr:चमिंडा वास si:චමින්ද වාස් ta:சமிந்த வாஸ் te:చమిందా వాస్

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
playername	Dale Steyn
country	South Africa
fullname	Dale Willem Steyn
living	true
dayofbirth	27
monthofbirth	6
yearofbirth	1983
placeofbirth	Phalaborwa, Transvaal Province
countryofbirth	South Africa
heightm	1.83
batting	Right-handed
bowling	Right-arm fast
role	Bowler
international	true
testdebutdate	17 December
testdebutyear	2004
testdebutagainst	England
testcap	297
lasttestdate	6 January
lasttestyear	2011
lasttestagainst	India
odidebutdate	17 August
odidebutyear	2005
odidebutagainst	Asia XI
odicap	82
lastodidate	25 March
lastodiyear	2011
lastodiagainst	New Zealand
odishirt	8
club1	Northerns
year1	2003-2004
club2	Titans
year2	2004-2010
clubnumber2	8
club3	Essex
year3	2005
club4	Warwickshire
year4	2007
club5	Royal Challengers Bangalore
year5	2007-2010
clubnumber5	2
club6	Deccan Chargers
year6	2011-present
club7	Cape Cobras
year7	2010–present
clubnumber7	8
columns	4
column1	Test
matches1	46
runs1	620
bat avg1	13.77
100s/50s1	0/1
top score1	76
deliveries1	9,515
wickets1	238
bowl avg1	23.21
fivefor1	16
tenfor1	4
best bowling1	7/51
catches/stumpings1	13/–
column2	ODI
matches2	48
runs2	108
bat avg2	28.30
100s/50s2	0/0
top score2	35
deliveries2	2,350
wickets2	69
bowl avg2	29.65
fivefor2	0
tenfor2	n/a
best bowling2	4/16
catches/stumpings2	10/–
column3	FC
matches3	87
runs3	1,124
bat avg3	14.22
100s/50s3	0/3
top score3	82
deliveries3	16,965
wickets3	39
bowl avg3	4.28
fivefor3	24
tenfor3	6
best bowling3	8/41
catches/stumpings3	19/–
column4	LA
matches4	92
runs4	154
bat avg4	7.33
100s/50s4	0/0
top score4	35
deliveries4	4,410
wickets4	138
bowl avg4	25.46
fivefor4	2
tenfor4	n/a
best bowling4	5/20
catches/stumpings4	16/–
date	6 February
year	2011
source	http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/47492.html cricinfo }}

Dale Willem Steyn (pronounced ) (born 27 June 1983 in Phalaborwa, Transvaal Province, South Africa) is a South African cricketer who plays in Test and One Day International cricket for South Africa. He is currently the number one ranked Test bowler in the world . Steyn plays domestic cricket in South Africa for Cape Cobras. He is a right-arm fast bowler, and bowls at speeds of around 145–150 km/h (his fastest being recorded at 156.2 km/h during the 2010 IPL, Bangalore Royal Challengers against Kolkata Knight Riders). Steyn holds the record for the fastest South African to reach 100 wickets in Test Match cricket, a feat he achieved on 2 March 2008. Steyn currently has the third best bowling strike rate of all time in Test match cricket (amongst bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 2500 deliveries), behind George Lohmann and Shane Bond. He achieved a tally of 78 wickets at the world class average of 16.24 in Season 2007/08 and was subsequently rewarded with the prestigious ICC 2008 Test Cricketer of the Year Award.

Playing style

Steyn is an aggressive out-and-out fast bowler capable of bowling at speeds in excess of 150 km/h. He is capable of generating considerable swing and is usually chosen to bowl with the new ball to maximise these attributes. He has also demonstrated the ability to reverse swing the older ball in a Test match against India in Nagpur in 2010, which South Africa won by an innings and six runs. Steyn is an extremely competitive cricketer and often celebrates vigorously after taking a wicket. He has stated that "(he) love(s) the buzz from bowling fast" and that "(he) want(s) to be the quickest in the world".

Steyn is usually considered a tail-ender when batting and often bats at number ten or eleven. However, he is a capable hitter of the ball and can also occupy the crease if required.

Domestic career

Steyn made his first-class debut for Northerns (subsequently merged with Easterns to form the Titans) on 17 October 2003. He only played two first-class games and made little impact in his first season, but a series of strong performances in the initial part of the 2004/2005 season saw him called up to the Test squad to play England. He went back to playing for the Titans after failing to impress in his first three Tests.

Steyn went to England in 2005 to play for Essex, appearing in seven matches between May and June. He failed to make a big impact in his initial outing in County Championship cricket, taking 14 wickets at 59.85. On his return to domestic cricket in South Africa, Steyn bowled excellently for the Titans through the 2005/2006 season which earned him a recall to the Test squad to face New Zealand.

Steyn seized the opportunity to cement his place in the South Africa Test team, and as a result of becoming a regular selection for the national team, he has subsequently played little domestic cricket in South Africa during the last two seasons, appearing for the Titans in just three SuperSport Series matches.

He had a second stint in England, playing for Warwickshire in the first half of the 2007 English season. This time around he had more success, claiming 23 County Championship wickets in seven matches at an average of 25.86. He also played well in the Friends Provident Trophy, a 50-over tournament, finishing as the leading wicket-taker for Warwickshire. He has since become a regular in the South African One Day International team.

Steyn signed to play in the Indian Premier League in 2008, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He earned US$325,000 for his appearance in the tournament. For IPL 2011 he was bought by Deccan Chargers for a whopping 1.3 million $.

International career

Home Tests against England 2004/05

Steyn made his debut for South Africa on 17 December 2004 in the first Test of England's tour. His first victim in Test cricket was Marcus Trescothick whom he bowled with a fast in-swinging delivery. However, his overall performance was underwhelming, he took eight wickets at an average of 52.00 and he was dropped after bowling poorly in England's second innings of the fourth Test in January 2005, bowling eight no balls in nine overs which went for 47 runs. England won the match by 77 runs.

One Day Internationals 2005/06

Later that year, Steyn was picked in the squad for the African XI in the Afro-Asia Cup of 2005/06, and he made his One Day International debut on 17 August 2005. The African XI won the match, with Steyn bowling last batsman Ashish Nehra to seal victory by two runs. Steyn made his One Day International debut for South Africa on 20 January 2006 in a match against Australia at Melbourne, a match which was part of the 2005-06 VB Series. Steyn did not bowl particularly well and after another below par performance against Sri Lanka he dropped out of consideration for the South African ODI team.

Home Tests against New Zealand 2005/2006

Following a strong season playing domestic cricket for the Titans, Steyn was recalled to the Test side to play New Zealand in April 2006. He responded to his opportunity with his first five-wicket haul in the first Test at Centurion, ripping through the New Zealand batting lineup along with Makhaya Ntini as New Zealand crumbled to 120 all out, chasing 248 to win. He finished the three Test series with 16 wickets at 26.00 and made a fine impression throughout.

Away Tests against Sri Lanka 2006

Steyn was included in the Test team to play Sri Lanka away in a two match series in July and August 2006. In his first overseas Test, at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, he took 3 for 129 as Sri Lanka piled up 756-5, with Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene putting together the highest Test match partnership ever (624 runs). South Africa slumped to defeat by an innings and 153 runs. In the second Test, at the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Steyn took his second five-wicket haul in Tests during Sri Lanka's first innings, but went wicketless in their seconds innings as Sri Lanka sealed a 2-0 series victory by a single wicket. Steyn finished the series with eight wickets at an average of 36.50.

Home Tests against India 2006/07

Steyn retained his Test place for the three match home series against India. He picked up an injury whilst bowling early in India's first innings in the first Test at Johannesburg which prevented him from taking much further part in the game and also ruled him out of the second Test. He returned to play in the deciding third Test at Cape Town and bowled well, taking six wickets for 88 runs in the match as South Africa clinched the match and the series. He finished the series with six wickets at an average of 19.00.

Home Tests against Pakistan 2006/07

Despite his strong performance on his return to the team in the third Test against India, Steyn missed out on a place in the first two Tests against Pakistan, with the selectors opting to play a four man attack featuring full-time spinner Paul Harris. He returned in the third Test, at Cape Town, when the selectors decided to rest Andre Nel and Shaun Pollock in preparation for the imminent 2007 Cricket World Cup. He took four wickets in the match for 87 runs as South Africa won the match by 5 wickets and took the series 2-1. As this was his only match, his average for the series was 21.75.

One Day Internationals 2007

Steyn was recalled to the South African ODI squad in June 2007 and played in three matches between June and August, against Ireland, India and Zimbabwe. He had mixed success in these three matches, taking wickets but proving expensive.

Away Tests against Pakistan 2007/2008

Steyn was picked for the Test squad to tour Pakistan in October, and played in both Tests. In the first Test at Karachi, during Pakistan's second innings, he picked up his third Test five-wicket haul as Pakistan were bowled out for 263 chasing 424 to win. He had an unremarkable second Test, with the match petering out to a draw, handing South Africa the series 1-0, and finished the series with nine wickets at 24.66.

Home Tests, ODIs and T20 against New Zealand 2007/2008

Steyn was by now an established member of the Test team, and he produced his finest series performance to date in the two Test matches against New Zealand in November. In the first Test at Johannesburg he collected his fourth and fifth five-wicket hauls (5/35 and 5/59) and his first ten-wicket match as New Zealand were thrashed by 358 runs, South Africa's biggest victory margin in terms of runs to date. Steyn was also awarded his first Test Man-of-the-Match award. This devastating form continued into the second Test at Centurion where he picked up 4/42 in the first innings and his sixth five-wicket haul (6/49) to help South Africa to victory by an innings and 59 runs. His second ten-wicket match earned him his second Man-of-the-Match award in a row and his series performance of 20 wickets at an average of 9.20 won him his first Man-of-the-Series award. On the back of his performance, he broke into the top five of the ICC rankings for Test bowlers for the first time in his career.

He made his Twenty20 International debut on 23 November 2007 in the one-off game against New Zealand, taking the wicket of Scott Styris and only giving up 17 runs from his four overs. He also featured in the third One Day International at Cape Town, where he had partial success, taking the wickets of the New Zealand openers, Brendon McCullum and Lou Vincent, but going for 50 runs from nine overs.

Home Tests, ODIs and T20 against West Indies 2007/2008

Steyn's next international appearance was in the first Twenty20 International against the West Indies. He took the exceptional figures of 4/9 in three overs, with all four wickets being picture perfect yorkers, but was unable to stop the West Indies chasing down the target of 59 runs in a match reduced to 13 overs by rain.

Steyn's form continued into the Test series. He had a fairly indifferent match in the first Test at Port Elizabeth, taking 5/188 in the match as the West Indies scored their first away victory in Test matches for two and a half years, although he did hit his highest Test match score to date, 33 not out, in South Africa's second innings. He picked up figures of 4/60 and 4/44 in the second Test at Cape Town as South Africa leveled the series and once again proved his worth in the deciding third Test at Durban by taking 1/18 and 6/72, his seventh five-wicket haul, as the West Indies were thrashed by an innings and 100 runs. His 20 wickets at 19.10. earned him his second consecutive Man-of-the-Series award.

He played in the first three matches of the One Day International series, but could not match his Test success and was briefly dropped after failing to take a wicket and going for 62 runs in his ten overs during the third match at Port Elizabeth. He was recalled for the fifth match at Johannesburg but struggled again, taking one wicket but going for 78 runs from ten overs.

Away Tests and ODIs against Bangladesh 2007/08

In the first Test of the two match series against Bangladesh, at Dhaka, Steyn helped South Africa avoid an embarrassing defeat. Bangladesh were bowled out for 192 in their first innings, with Steyn claiming 3/27, but then South Africa collapsed to 170 all out, handing the hosts a shock 22 run lead. However Steyn (4/48) then combined with Jacques Kallis (5/30) to restrict Bangladesh to 182 all out and South Africa were able to complete a five wicket victory on the fourth day of the match. South Africa won the second Test at Chittagong comprehensively (by an innings and 205 runs) and Steyn returned figures of 4/66 and 3/35 giving him 14 wickets in the series at an average of 12.57 which won him his third consecutive Man-of-the-Series award. When Steyn dismissed Junaid Siddique in Bangladesh's first innings (his 20th match), he claimed the record for the fastest South African to reach 100 wickets in Tests, beating Hugh Tayfield's record of 21 matches. He holds the record amongst all players who are currently playing Test cricket.

Steyn featured in the final One Day International of the three match series, going wicketless but only giving away 19 runs in 8 overs.

Away Tests against India 2007/08

Coming into the three Test series against India predictions about how Steyn would fare were mixed, with some commentators identifying him a crucial part of a South African team which could pose a serious challenge to India, whilst others predicted he might struggle playing against a strong batting lineup on lifeless subcontinent pitches.

The first Test at Chennai turned out to be a very high scoring affair, with South Africa batting first and making 540, then India responding strongly, led by Virender Sehwag who scored 319 from 304 balls, to reach 468/1 by the end of the third day. On the fourth day Steyn helped to restrict India's lead to 87 runs by dismissing MS Dhoni with a bouncer then blasting through the lower order, taking three wickets in two overs for the cost of two runs, all bowled with reverse swinging deliveries. He finished the innings, and the match which petered out into a tame draw, with four wickets for 103 runs. On the morning of the second Test at Ahmedabad, South Africa demolished the much vaunted Indian batting line within twenty overs, for the meagre total of 76 runs. Steyn was the pick of the bowlers taking five wickets for 23 runs, dismissing Sehwag and Rahul Dravid then mopping up the last three batsmen for the cost of 11 runs. In the second innings he added a further three wickets to his match tally, finishing the game with eight wickets for 114 runs, as South Africa completed a crushing victory by an innings and 90 runs The final Test at Kanpur saw Steyn pick up three first innings wickets which took him to 15 wickets in the series at 20.20. As a result of this, the cumulation of an outstanding 2007/08 season in which he took 75 wickets in 11 matches, Steyn moved up to joint first place (alongside Muttiah Muralitharan) in the ICC Test match bowling rankings

Away Tests against Australia 2008/2009

In the 2nd Test match in a 3 match series, Steyn was involved in a record 9th wicket partnership of 180 with J.P. Duminy. Steyn recorded a score of 76 (191 deliveries) in an innings that helped South Africa recover from 6-141 to post a score of 459. Steyn also starred in the first innings with figures of 5-87 (29.0 overs). In the second innings Steyn returned figures of 5-67 (20.2 overs) and helped South Africa to restrict the Australians to 247 giving the hosts a lead of 183. Steyn now has match figures of 10-154. This is the third time that he has taken 10 wickets in a match in his test career. South Africa duly completed the chase with nine wickets in hand, giving them a 2–0 series lead and their first ever Test series win in Australia. It was also Australia's first home series defeat in 16 years. Steyn was named man of the match for this performance. Steyn made a rearguard effort in attempting to prevent an Australian victory in the 3rd Test in Sydney frustrating the hosts with 28 runs in 65 balls in a 50 run partnership from 105 balls with Makhaya Ntini in order to try to secure the draw. However, when he was out with 50 balls to go, injured captain Graeme Smith came in with a broken hand in an attempt to hold out. Smith was eventually bowled out by Mitchell Johnson with ten balls to go.

Away Tests Against West Indies 2010

In the first test against the Windies in the 2010 series, South Africa convincingly beat them, with Steyn take his 200th wicket, Sulimenn Benn, clean bowled (off stump). This was also the wicket that brought Steyn his 14th five - for, a superb achievement considering Steyn's modest record of only 38 tests.

ICC World Cup 2011

Dale Steyn got career best ODI figures of 5 wickets for 50 runs against India in Nagpur during the Cricket World Cup 2011. India had a good start to their batting innings but could not maintain their momentum, in the process losing their final 9 wickets for just 29 runs. Steyn played a vital role in the derailment of a strong Indian batting line-up.

IPL Auction 2011

Dale Steyn was one of the players to go for a over a million dollars in the auction for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League. He was bought by the Deccan Chargers for $1.2 million.

Achievements and Records

Test Five-wicket innings

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"100%" !colspan=7|Test Five-wicket innings |- ! width="40"|Number !! width="50"|Figures !! width="50"|Match !! width="100"|Against !! width="150"|City/Country !! width="200"|Venue !! width="50"|Season |- | 1 || 5/47 || 4 || New Zealand || Centurion, South Africa || SuperSport Park || 2005/06 |- | 2 || 5/82 || 8 || Sri Lanka || Colombo, Sri Lanka || P Saravanamuttu Stadium || 2006 |- | 3 || 5/56 || 12 || Pakistan || Karachi, Pakistan || National Stadium || 2006/07 |- | 4 || 5/34 || 14 || New Zealand || Johannesburg, South Africa || New Wanderers Stadium || 2007/08 |- | 5 || 5/59 || 14 || New Zealand || Johannesburg, South Africa || New Wanderers Stadium || 2007/08 |- | 6 || 6/49 || 15 || New Zealand || Centurion, South Africa || SuperSport Park || 2007/08 |- | 7 || 6/72 || 18 || West Indies || Durban, South Africa || Kingsmead || 2007/08 |- | 8 || 5/23 || 22 || India || Ahmedabad, India || Ahmedabad || 2007/08 |- | 9 || 5/63 || 25 || Bangladesh || Bloemfontein, South Africa || OUTsurance Oval || 2008/09 |- | 10 || 5/87 || 28 || Australia || Melbourne, Australia || Melbourne Cricket Ground || 2008/09 |- | 11 || 5/67 || 28 || Australia || Melbourne, Australia || Melbourne Cricket Ground || 2008/09 |- | 12 || 5/51 || 35 || England || Johannesburg, South Africa || New Wanderers Stadium || 2009/10 |- | 13 || 7/51 || 37 || India || Nagpur, India || Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium || 2009/10 |- |14 || 5/29 || 38 || West Indies || Port of Spain, West Indies || Queen's Park Oval || 2010 |- |15 || 6/50 || 45 || India || Durban, South Africa || Kingsmead || 2010/11 |- |16 || 5/75 || 46 || India || Cape Town, South Africa || Sahara Park Newlands || 2010/11 |}

Test Ten-wicket Matches

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"100%" !colspan=7|Test Ten-wicket Matches |- ! width="40"|Number !! width="50"|Match Figures !! width="50"|Match !! width="100"|Against !! width="150"|City/Country !! width="200"|Venue !! width="50"|Season |- | 1 || 10/93 || 14 || New Zealand || Johannesburg, South Africa || New Wanderers Stadium || 2007/08 |- | 2 || 10/91 || 15 || New Zealand || Centurion, South Africa || SuperSport Park || 2007/08 |- | 3 || 10/154 || 28 || Australia || Melbourne, Australia || Melbourne Cricket Ground || 2008/09 |- | 4 || 10/108 || 37 || India || Nagpur, India || Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium || 2009/10 |}

Test Man-of-the-Match Awards

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"100%" !colspan=8|Test Man-of-the-Match Awards |- ! width="40"|Number !! width="200"|Match Bowling Figures !! width="200"|Match Batting Figures !! width="50"|Match !! width="100"|Against !! width="150"|City/Country !! width="200"|Venue !! width="50"|Season |- | 1 || 5/34 and 5/59 || 13 and did not bat || 14 || New Zealand || Johannesburg, South Africa || New Wanderers Stadium || 2007/08 |- | 2 || 4/42 and 6/49 || 25 and did not bat || 15 || New Zealand || Centurion, South Africa || SuperSport Park || 2007/08 |- | 3 || 5/87 and 5/67 || 76 and did not bat || 28 || Australia || Melbourne, Aus || Melbourne Cricket Ground || 2008/09 |}

Test Man-of-the-Series Awards

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%" align="center" width:"150%" !colspan=7|Test Man-of-the-Series Awards |- ! width="40"|Number !! width="50"|Matches !! width="250"|Series Wickets and Bowling Average !! width="250"|Series Runs and Batting Average !! width="100"|Against !! width="100"|Country !! width="50"|Season |- | 1 || 2 || 20 wickets at 9.20 || 38 runs at 19.00 || New Zealand || South Africa || 2007/08 |- | 2 || 3 || 20 wickets at 19.10 || 59 runs at 29.50 || West Indies || South Africa || 2007/08 |- | 3 || 2 || 14 wickets at 12.57 || 7 runs at 7.00 || Bangladesh || Bangladesh || 2007/08 |}

Career Best Performances

''as of 18 September 2010'' {|class=wikitable style="font-size:90%" |- !rowspan="1"| !colspan="4" rowspan="1"|Batting !colspan="4" rowspan="1"|Bowling |- ! !Score !Fixture !Venue !Season !Score !Fixture !Venue !Season |- |Tests |align="center"|76 |South Africa v Australia |MCG |align="center"|2008 |align="center"|7-51 |South Africa v India |Nagpur |align="center"|2010 |- |ODI |align="center"|35 |South Africa v India |Jaipur |align="center"|2010 |align="center"|4-16 |South Africa v Bangladesh |Potchefstroom |align="center"|2008 |- |T20I |align="center"|5 |South Africa v England |Bridgetown |align="center"|2010 |align="center"|4-9 |South Africa v West Indies |Port Elizabeth |align="center"|2007 |- |FC |align="center"|82 |Essex v Durham |Riverside |align="center"|2005 |align="center"|8-41 |Titans v Eagles |Bloemfontein |align="center"|2007 |- |LA |align="center"|35 |South Africa v India |Jaipur |align="center"|2010 |align="center"|5-20 |South Africa A v Sri Lanka A |Colombo (RPS) |align="center"|2005 |- |T20 |align="center"|22 |Titans v Lions |Centurion |align="center"|2010 |align="center"|4-9 |South Africa v West Indies |Port Elizabeth |align="center"|2007 |}

Others

Steyn is the fastest South African to reach 100 wickets in Test matches, a feat he achieved on 2 March 2008 in his 20th match.

Steyn is the second fastest South African, behind Hugh Tayfield to reach 150 wickets in Test matches, which he achieved in his 29th match.

He currently has the fourth best bowling strike rate of 38.9 of all time (in Tests), behind George Lohmann, John Ferris and Shane Bond.

Injuries During the 2010 Champions League Twenty20, Steyn got his head and back injured after backpedalling and falling over while taking the catch of Chennai Super Kings' Mike Hussey. He was unable to continue.

Controversies

Steyn was fined 100% of his match fee for spitting at West Indies fielder Sulieman Benn during the 3rd test of the West Indies-South Africa series in June 2010. He was deemed to have committed a Level 2 offence by ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe.

References

Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:South African cricketers Category:Essex cricketers Category:Northerns cricketers Category:Titans cricketers Category:Warwickshire cricketers Category:South Africa One Day International cricketers Category:ACA African XI One Day International cricketers Category:South Africa Test cricketers Category:South Africa Twenty20 International cricketers Category:Bangalore cricketers Category:Cricketers at the 2011 Cricket World Cup

af:Dale Steyn hi:डेल स्टेन mr:डेल स्टाइन ta:டேல் ஸ்டெய்ன் te:డేల్ స్టెయిన్

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
playername	Shane Watson
country	Australia
fullname	Shane Robert Watson
nickname	Watto
living	true
dayofbirth	17
monthofbirth	6
yearofbirth	1981
placeofbirth	Ipswich, Queensland
countryofbirth	Australia
heightm	1.83
weightkg	93
batting	Right-hand
bowling	Right-arm fast-medium
role	All-rounder (Opening batsmen)
international	true
testdebutdate	2 January
testdebutyear	2005
testdebutagainst	Pakistan
testcap	391
lasttestdate	3 January
lasttestyear	2011
lasttestagainst	England
odidebutdate	24 March
odidebutyear	2002
odidebutagainst	South Africa
odicap	148
lastodidate	22 August
lastodiyear	2011
lastodiagainst	Sri Lanka
odishirt	33
t20idebutdate	24 February
t20idebutyear	2006
t20idebutagainst	South Africa
t20icap	19
lastt20idate	8 August
lastt20iyear	2011
lastt20iagainst	Sri Lanka
club1	Tasmania
year1	2001–2004
club2	Queensland
year2	2004–2009
club3	Hampshire
year3	2005
club4	Rajasthan Royals
year4	2008–
club5	New South Wales
year5	2009–
club6	Sydney Sixers
year6	2011–
columns	4
column1	Test
matches1	27
runs1	1,953
bat avg1	41.55
100s/50s1	2/15
top score1	126
deliveries1	2,601
wickets1	43
bowl avg1	31.41
fivefor1	2
tenfor1	0
best bowling1	6/33
catches/stumpings1	21/–
column2	ODI
matches2	138
runs2	4,122
bat avg2	43.38
100s/50s2	6/25
top score2	185*
deliveries2	4,953
wickets2	138
bowl avg2	29.10
fivefor2	0
tenfor2	0
best bowling2	4/36
catches/stumpings2	47/–
column3	FC
matches3	94
runs3	6,921
bat avg3	46.76
100s/50s3	17/38
top score3	203*
deliveries3	8,778
wickets3	173
bowl avg3	28.46
fivefor3	6
tenfor3	1
best bowling3	7/69
catches/stumpings3	78/–
column4	List A
matches4	203
runs4	5,991
bat avg4	40.20
100s/50s4	8/36
top score4	185*
deliveries4	6,839
wickets4	180
bowl avg4	31.65
fivefor4	0
tenfor4	0
best bowling4	4/36
catches/stumpings4	66/–
date	24 August
year	2011
source	http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8180.html Cricinfo }}

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.

International career

Watson was selected for his first Australian team in early 2002, being selected to tour South Africa with the Test team after topping the Pura Cup wicket-taking charts for Tasmania, as well as steady middle-order batting performances. Australian captain at the time Steve Waugh stated that Watson would possibly be Australia's first genuine all rounder since Keith Miller and Alan Davidson in the 1950s. Watson expressed joy at being selected in an Australian team with Waugh, whom he cited as his idol. Watson scored an unbeaten century on his debut in a tour match, but did not play in the Tests as the selectors retained the same XI that had swept South Africa 3–0 in the Australian season. Watson did make his ODI debut on tour, ironically replacing Waugh, who was sacked after the team failed to make the ODI finals in the preceding Australian summer. Watson continued as a regular member of the ODI team until he suffered three stress fractures in his back, at the start of 2003, missing the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He was replaced by his Queensland teammate Andrew Symonds, who proceeded to establish his position as the all rounder after scoring 143* and 91* during the tournament.

Watson's injury sidelined him until the 2003–04 Australian season, and during his rehabilitation he played most of the season as a batsman, allowing himself to improve his batting skills while his back was still healing. During this time he smashed an unbeaten 300* for his club side, Lindisfarne.

Watson returned to regular ODI duty in the 2004–05 season, as a bowling all rounder. He also played in the Third Test against Pakistan as the fifth bowler, in order to allow Australia to play two spinners and three pace bowlers on a dry Sydney Cricket Ground pitch.

Following England's Ashes victory over Australia in 2005 with a five bowler strategy, Australia responded by including Watson as the fifth bowler and all rounder in all Test matches. Watson stated his intention to emulate Andrew Flintoff, who played the analogous role for England. Watson played against the ICC World XI in the role, but he dislocated his shoulder in just his second Test in that designated role against the West Indies, after diving to field a ball. Watson was again replaced by Symonds and was unable to represent Australia for the remainder of the summer.

He was recalled for the one day squad for the 2006 tour of South Africa but was dropped when all-rounder Andrew Symonds returned from injury. Watson was looking to establish a place in the Test side when he got injured, and Andrew Symonds stepped in to fill the gap.

Watson had been previously criticised for his relatively flat bowling trajectory and inability to move the ball, reflected in his relatively high bowling average. Jamie Cox, a former Tasmanian team-mate and future Australian selector, felt that Watson was being mis-used as a bowling allrounder, believing that he was better suited as a conventional batsman and part-timer bowler, rather than a bowler who engaged in power hitting in the latter part of an innings.

This changed when Watson opened the batting for Australia at the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy, alongside wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, instead of Simon Katich. In the competition he impressed with both the ball and bat, as Australia moved to their first Champions Trophy victory. Critics and captain Ricky Ponting cited his better strike rate, straight hitting and the ability to bowl as the reasons why he was selected ahead of Katich. After failing in the first two matches against the West Indies and England, Watson made a 50 in Australia's victory over India, which sealed their place in the semi-finals, and in the 2009 Champions Trophy was held in South Africa, Watson again played a prominent role, making two consecutive 100s against England and New-Zealand in semi-final and final, helping Australia to defend their title.

Ponting suggested that Watson would bat at the number 6 position in the Ashes series against England in 2006–07, and he was named in the squad. However, he came off the ground in a one-day domestic game the week before the first Test with a suspected hamstring tear, which ruled him out for the first three Tests. Michael Clarke was called up in Watson's place, and responded with a half-century, and then a century to cement Clarke's place in the team.

Watson was expected to be fit for the fourth Test on Boxing Day and the MCG in Melbourne, and because of Damien Martyn's unexpected retirement, it looked likely that Watson would be included in the side. However, another injury setback in a match for Queensland ruled Watson out for the rest of the Ashes series. Watson eventually returned in February to the ODI side, replacing Cameron White in the all rounder position, However he again broke down with injury during the 2007 Cricket World Cup and missed most of the Super 8's before returning in fine style smashing an unbeaten 65 off 32 balls against New Zealand. Injury again struck Watson in the early stages of the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 as he missed most of the tournament due to hamstring strain.‎ He was then out of action for the 2007–08 Australian season.

After Symonds was omitted from the Australian team for disciplinary reasons, and Watson took the all rounder's position for the tour of India in late-2008, batting at No. 6. During the Third Test in Delhi, he was involved in a series of confrontations with Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, who scored a double century and reached his century by lofting Watson over midwicket for six. During the innings, Gambhir elbowed Watson while going for a run, and claimed that the incident was not intentional at a press conference, and claiming that Watson had no capacity to dismiss him. He later pleaded guilty and was banned for one match.

After returning to Australia, Symonds was recalled to the Test team and both all rounders played in the First Test against New Zealand in Brisbane. As the pitch was a green, rain-affected moist surface expected to favour seamers, spinner Jason Krejza was dropped to accommodate two seam bowling all rounders. After the match, which Australia won, Watson was dropped as spinner Nathan Hauritz was included and Symonds retained. Symonds continued to perform poorly, and there were calls for Watson to take his place, but both men then fell injured at the end of the year, Watson with a stress fracture. Watson returned to international duty in the ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE, scoring a century.

He returned to the Australian Test side for the 3rd Ashes Test match at Edgbaston on 30 July 2009 when he replaced opener Phillip Hughes who had been struggling for form. In a rain interrupted match he made 62 and 53 batting alongside Simon Katich. He scored his second highest Test score of 96 against the West Indies in the Second Test in Adelaide in December 2009. He and Katich put on a century stand and he had reached 96 at stumps, only to inside edge his first ball of the next morning onto his stumps while attempting to hit a boundary to reach his century. In the Third Test, he made 89 in another century stand with Katich. In the second innings, he removed opposition captain Chris Gayle and then charged towards him, screaming in celebration directly in front of him. This earned him a fine from the match referee, and considerable criticism from much of the Australian public.

In the First Test against Pakistan, he made 93 runs on Boxing Day and featured in his third century stand in as many matches with Katich, but was run out after a mix-up with Katich in which both players ended up running towards the same end, again falling short of his debut Test hundred. On Day four, Watson finally made his first Test hundred. He went to lunch sitting on 98* and including the lunch break was stuck in the 90s for 106 minutes. After the lunch break he got to 99, and was then stuck there and could only get dot balls. He brought up his debut Test century in interesting style, hitting the ball hard to Abdur Rauf at point who put the catch down. The ball spilled away and gave Watson enough time to run through for the single he needed. His century came after 293 minutes off 186 balls with 9 fours and a six. When Ponting declared, he remained not out, making 120. Watson was awarded man of the match on 30 December for his role in Australia's Test victory.

In the second innings of the Second Test at the SCG, Watson fell short of another century, dismissed for 97. During this Test, the Australian Cricket Media Association presented Watson with Australian Cricketer of the Year Award.

In the first test of Australia's 2010 tour of India, Watson opened his account with his second test century - an attritional 126 runs off 338 balls on a slow, low Mohali pitch. The innings capped an excellent start to the tour, as he also scored a century in each innings of the warm-up match, albeit at a much brisker pace. He topscored again in the second innings with a run-a-ball 56, which proved vital in setting a competitive target as Australia's middle order again collapsed in spectacular fashion following his dismissal.

On 30 March 2011, Watson was named test and ODI vice-captain. On 11 April 2011 he made 185 not out off 96 balls against Bangladesh. Watson hit 15 sixes in this innings, breaking the record previously held by Xavier Marshall. He also scored the highest one day international score by an Australian batsman passing Matthew Hayden's score of 181 not out set in 2007.

Test Centuries

15 126

Test Match Centuries of Shane Watson
		style="width:40px;"	# !! style="width:50px;"|Runs !! style="width:50px;"|Match !! style="width:110px;"|Against !! style="width:200px;"|City/Country !! style="width:200px;"|Venue !! style="width:50px;"|Year !! style="width:100px;"|Home/Away
1	120*	|		Melbourne, Australia	Melbourne Cricket Ground	2009	Home
2	|	21		Mohali, India	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium	2010	Away

ODI Centuries

69 116* 136* 105* 161* 185*

ODI Match Centuries of Shane Watson
		style="width:40px;"	# !! style="width:50px;"|Runs !! style="width:50px;"|Match !! style="width:110px;"|Against !! style="width:200px;"|City/Country !! style="width:200px;"|Venue !! style="width:50px;"|Year !! style="width:100px;"|Home/Away/Neutral
1	126	|		Grenada, West Indies	Queen's Park, Grenada>National Cricket Stadium	Australian cricket team in West Indies in 2008>2008	Away
2	|	77		Abu Dhabi, UAE	Sheikh Zayed Stadium	Australian cricket team against Pakistan in UAE in 2009>2009	Neutral
3	|	89		Centurion, Gauteng>Centurion, South Africa	SuperSport Park	2009 ICC Champions Trophy>2009	Neutral
4	|	90		Centurion, Gauteng>Centurion, South Africa	SuperSport Park	2009	Neutral
5	|	118		Melbourne, Australia	Melbourne Cricket Ground	English cricket team in Australia in 2010–11>2011	Home
6	|	132		Dhaka, Bangladesh	Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium	Australian cricket team in Bangladesh in 2011>2011	Away

At the Allan Border Medal night of 2010, he won the one day player of the year, was runner up for the Test player of the year and won the Allan Border Medal.

Indian Premier League

Watson played in the Indian Premier League for the Rajasthan Royals team. Signed up for US $125,000, he performed well with both the bat and the ball scoring four half-centuries to anchor his team to victory in three matches of the tournament and in the semifinals. He also picked up 17 wickets, won four man of the match awards in his first twelve games and also won the Man of the Series award.

On the back of his IPL performance, Watson was subsequently selected to replace Matthew Hayden in the one day series as part of Australia's tour to the West Indies, after Hayden had injured himself during the IPL season. Watson went on to establish himself as an ODI opener in the series.

Watson missed the second IPL season due to national duty and injury, and Rajasthan failed to reach the top four in the qualifying rounds. For 2011 season, Rajasthan Royals successfully retained Shane Watson along with the skipper Shane Warne.

References

External links

Cricinfo page on Shane Watson

Shane Watson profile at cricket.com.au

Category:Australia One Day International cricketers Category:Australia Test cricketers Category:Australia Twenty20 International cricketers Category:Hampshire cricketers Category:Queensland cricketers Category:Tasmania cricketers Category:New South Wales cricketers Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Rajasthan (Indian Premier League) cricketers Category:People from Ipswich, Queensland Category:Cricketers at the 2003 Cricket World Cup Category:Cricketers at the 2007 Cricket World Cup Category:Cricketers at the 2011 Cricket World Cup

fr:Shane Watson hi:शेन वॉटसन kn:ಶೇನ್ ವ್ಯಾಟ್ಸನ್ mr:शेन वॉट्सन pl:Shane Watson ta:ஷேன் வாட்சன்

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
playername	Ramesh Powar
country	India
fullname	Ramesh Rajaram Powar रमेश राजाराम पोवार (मराठी)
living	true
dayofbirth	20
monthofbirth	5
yearofbirth	1978
placeofbirth	Mumbai, Maharashtra
countryofbirth	India
heightft	5
heightinch	4
batting	Right-handed
bowling	Right arm off spin
role	All-round Spin bowler
family	Kiran Powar (brother)
international	true
testdebutdate	18 May
testdebutyear	2007
testdebutagainst	Bangladesh
testcap	257
lasttestdate	25 May
lasttestyear	2007
lasttestagainst	Bangladesh
odidebutdate	16 March
odidebutyear	2004
odidebutagainst	Pakistan
odicap	155
lastodidate	2 October
lastodiyear	2007
lastodiagainst	Australia
club1	Mumbai
year1	1999/00–present
club2	Kings XI Punjab
year2	2008-2010
club3	Kochi Tuskers Kerala
year3	2011-Present
deliveries	balls
columns	4
column1	Tests
matches1	2
runs1	13
bat avg1	6.50
100s/50s1	0/0
top score1	7
deliveries1	252
wickets1	6
bowl avg1	19.66
fivefor1	0
tenfor1	0
best bowling1	3/33
catches/stumpings1	0/–
column2	ODIs
matches2	31
runs2	163
bat avg2	11.64
100s/50s2	0/1
top score2	54
deliveries2	1,536
wickets2	34
bowl avg2	35.02
fivefor2	0
tenfor2	n/a
best bowling2	3/24
catches/stumpings2	3/–
column3	FC
matches3	91
runs3	3,086
bat avg3	30.86
100s/50s3	5/16
top score3	131
deliveries3	18,838
wickets3	312
bowl avg3	28.64
fivefor3	17
tenfor3	2
best bowling3	7/44
catches/stumpings3	38/–
column4	List A
matches4	107
runs4	1,044
bat avg4	17.69
100s/50s4	0/4
top score4	80*
deliveries4	5,271
wickets4	133
bowl avg4	31.24
fivefor4	1
tenfor4	n/a
best bowling4	5/53
catches/stumpings4	23/–
date	27 September
year	2008
source	http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/10/10533/10533.html CricketArchive }}

Ramesh Rajaram Powar (born 20 May 1978 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India) is an Indian cricketer. He is an alumnus of Ruparel College of Science, Commerce and Arts in Matunga, Mumbai. He is a useful lower order batsman and off spinner who plays in the Indian ODI team. Powar was selected in 2000 for the first intake of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Powar has impressed Indian selectors with consistent performances in domestic cricket since his debut. He played a large role in Mumbai's successful 2002-03 season in the Ranji Trophy. Not only did he take 20 wickets but despite batting in the lower order he finished as the second-highest run scorer for his side with 418 runs at 46. He was first selected to the Indian squad for their tour of Pakistan. Powar did not look out of place in the international arena, playing Shoaib Akhtar with confidence. He did not return to the ODI side again until early 2006. His recall came on the back of 63 domestic wickets for 2005-06. It was the second season in a row that he had taken over 50 wickets.

However, in January 2007, he was dropped from the squad because of inury and Anil Kumble returned as the second spinner in the lead up to the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In May 2008, he made his IPL debut for the Punjab Kings XI and picked up a wicket (of Gautam Gambhir - the highest scorer in the tournament) in the very first over he bowled. He represented Kings XI Punjab in all the three seasons of IPL of which the team was a part of. Now he represents Kochi Tuskers Kerala team in IPL 2011

See also

Ramesh Powar featured in the 5 best players of Indias domestic season 2005-2006.

Ramesh Powar has had weight issues for a considerable amount of time and his weight is unknown because the ICC have yet to find a weighing scale that doesn't collapse when he stands on it.

References

External links

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Mumbai cricketers Category:India One Day International cricketers Category:India Test cricketers Category:Punjab (Indian Premier League) cricketers Category:Kochi cricketers

ml:രമേശ് പവാർ