Ajmal is a masculine given name. People named Ajmal include:

• Ajmal Ameer, Indian actor
• Ajmal Kasab, Pakistani Islamic terrorist
• Ajmal Khattak, Pakistani politician
• Ajmal Masroor, British imam, broadcaster and politician
• Ajmal Naqshbandi, journalist's interpreter executed by the Taliban
• Ajmal Mian, Pakistani judge
• Ajmal Shahzad, English cricketer
• Ajmal Shams, Afghan politician

This page or section lists people that share the same given name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article.

Ajmal Shahzad (born 27 July 1985) is an English cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler, he has played for Yorkshire since 2004, however is currently on loan at Lancashire. Shahzad made his international debut in a Twenty20 International for England in February 2010.^[1] He later made his ODI debut before becoming the 650th player to play Test cricket for England, making his debut against Bangladesh.

Background[link]

Shahzad was born in a family of Pakistani background; his father migrated from Gujar Khan, Punjab.^[2] His father was an accountant by profession who himself represented Idle and played in Pakistan's Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.^[2] Shahzad grew up in Bradford and attended Bradford Grammar School and later Woodhouse Grove School; he lived close to the house of fellow cricketer Adil Rashid. He studied four months of pharmacy at Bradford University before eventually transferring to Leeds Metropolitan University to study sports science to enhance his career in cricket.^[2]

Early domestic career[link]

In 2004, he became the first Yorkshire-born player of Asian extraction to play for Yorkshire.^[3][4]

In his only first-class appearance in 2006, he failed to take a wicket, and scored just two runs. He enjoyed more success in the shorter formats of the game, claiming five wickets and 18 runs in four List A matches for his native county, and in his sole Twenty20 appearance, he took 2 wickets.

In 2009, Shahzad enjoyed an injury free and successful season, taking 40 wickets and scoring 445 runs in the late middle order, raising hopes that he may yet exhibit genuine all-rounder potential. His performances gained him a call up to the England performance squad in South Africa squad, where he impressed coach Andy Flower.

International fringes[link]

In January 2010, he was named in the Test and ODI squads for the England tour of Bangladesh.^[5] On his debut for England in a Twenty20 International against Pakistan, he claimed two wickets, both in his first over.^[6]

He later made his ODI début against Bangladesh, again taking a wicket in his first over.^[7] When Bangladesh later toured England, he made his Test début in the second Test, replacing the injured Tim Bresnan. After only scoring 5 runs in England's innings and an expensive start with the ball, he later took 3 wickets in 3 overs in his second spell as Bangladesh missed the follow-on target. Pakistan toured England in July and Shahzad was included in England's 12-man squad for the first Test. A week in advance of the Test, he twisted his ankle in a match for Yorkhire. As he was still experiencing discomfort the day before the Test, England chose to drop him from the squad as a precaution and bring in Tim Bresnan.^[8]

Though pundits had expected Shahzad to be included in England's squad for the 2010–11 Ashes, he was omitted from the 16-man touring party. However, he was included in the performance squad who were training in Australia and ready to provide cover in the event of injuries.^[9] He was not called upon in the Tests, but played two T20Is against Australia^[10] and the first five games of the seven ODIs that followed. He took 6 wickets at an average of 40.50 before a hamstring injury in the fifth match ruled him out of the rest of the series.^[11][12] Shahzad was included in England's 15-man squad for the 2011 ICC World Cup held in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka in March 2011.^[13] He managed three wickets from two appearances in the tournament,^[14][15] however a recurrence of the hamstring injury sustained aganst Australia meant Shahzad was forced to bow out of the tournament prematurely.^[16]

On his return for Yorkshire, he struggled for form and was left out of the England Test and ODI squads to face Sri Lanka. In the County Championship he managed 25 wickets at an average of 41.00.^[17] In September, Shahzad was reprimanded for scuffing the pitch during the penultimate Championship match against Warwickshire and fined £750. The club was relegated from the First Division in the final match of the season.^[18] Shahzad regretted the incident, explaining "It's not the way I want to play my game. I don't want to be seen as a cheat, or a pitch-damager. ... It's one mistake I've made in an eight- or nine-year career so far. It's out of the blue for me, and I definitely would never do anything like it again. It was just a random, stupid act."^[17] Despite a trying year, Shahzad was selected in the England Performance Programme held over the English off-season.^[19]

In April 2012 Yorkshire's new bowling coach, Jason Gillespie, praised Shahzad's efforts, saying "Ajmal has got himself in as good a condition as he's ever been in his first-class career. He's worked incredibly hard, and I think he's a fantastic bowler, a very exciting bowler." However, on 1 May 2012, it was announced that Shahzad was to leave Yorkshire^[20] and a week later he joined Lancashire on loan for the rest of the season with a view to agreeing a permanent contract at a later date.^[21]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Player profile: Ajmal Shahzad from ESPNcricinfo
• Player profile: Ajmal Shahzad from CricketArchive

v t e England squad – 2010 ICC World Twenty20 (1st title) 5 Collingwood 6 Wright 8 Broad 9 Anderson 13 Shahzad 16 Morgan 18 Sidebottom 20 Bresnan 22 Kieswetter 24 Pietersen 40 Yardy 42 Bopara 45 Lumb 53 Tredwell 66 Swann Coach: Flower

v t e England squad – 2011 Cricket World Cup 4 Trott 5 Collingwood 6 Wright 7 Bell 9 Anderson 14 Strauss (c) 16 Morgan 20 Bresnan 23 Prior 33 Tremlett 42 Bopara 46 Dernbach 53 Tredwell 66 Swann 95 Rashid Coach: Flower Eoin Morgan was named in the squad but withdrew after injury; Ravi Bopara was called up as a replacement. Morgan returned to the squad during the group stage when Kevin Pietersen withdrew due to injury. Chris Tremlett replaced the injured Stuart Broad mid-way through the group stage. Jade Dernbach replaced the injured Ajmal Shahzad for the quarter finals. Adil Rashid replaced Michael Yardy who went home for personal reasons before the quarter final.

Saeed Ajmal
سعید اجمل

Personal information
Full name	Saeed Ajmal
Born	(1977-10-14) 14 October 1977 (age 34) Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Batting style	Right-handed
Bowling style	Right-arm off break
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Pakistan
Test debut (cap 195)	4 July 2009 v Sri Lanka
Last Test	3 February 2012 v England
ODI debut (cap 171)	2 July 2008 v India
Last ODI	18 March 2012 v India
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2009–present	Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd
1996–2007	Faisalabad
2000–07	Khan Research Laboratories
2001–02	Islamabad
2011	Worcestershire
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	LA
Matches	20	60	107	162
Runs scored	227	175	1,199	372
Batting average	11.94	8.75	12.36	7.91
100s/50s	0/1	0/0	0/3	0/0
Top score	50	33	53	33
Balls bowled	6,551	3,118	23.498	8,389
Wickets	107	88	395	241
Bowling average	26.70	24.48	27.02	25.54
5 wickets in innings	5	1	24	2
10 wickets in match	2	n/a	3	n/a
Best bowling	7/55	5/43	7/55	5/18
Catches/stumpings	6/–	10/–	34/–	36/–
Source: ESPNCricinfo, 22 February 2012

Saeed Ajmal (Punjabi, Urdu: سعید اجمل; born 14 October 1977) is a Pakistani cricketer. He is a right-arm off-spin bowler who bats right handed. At domestic level in Pakistan he has represented Faisalabad, with whom he won the 2005 ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup; Khan Research Laboratories; and Islamabad. Ajmal made his One Day International debut for Pakistan in July 2008 at the age of 30, and a year later played his first Test. In 2009 he was reported for having a suspect bowling action, but after being cleared he helped Pakistan win the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. Ajmal played for Worcestershire as an overseas player in English domestic cricket in 2011. Since November 2011, Ajmal has been ranked by the International Cricket Council as the number one bowler in ODIs. On 28 January 2012, in his 20th Test, Ajmal became the quickest Pakistani to take 100 test wickets.^[1]

Domestic career[link]

Saeed Ajmal has played for Faisalabad since his debut in 1995 at the age of 18. Ajmal represented the Faisalabad Wolves in the 2005 ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup, his team won the final in which he was man of the match.^[2][3] When Faisalabad won the final of the ABN-AMRO Patron's Cup in March 2006 Ajmal was named the tournament's best bowler and was given a Rs 25,000 prize.^[4] He has also represented Khan Research Laboratories, who were runners-up in the final of the 2008/09 Quaid-i-Azam Trophy; though his side lost the final, Ajmal took 5/105 and 2/55 and in the process passed 250 first-class wickets.^[5][6] Ajmal has also played for Islamabad.

International career[link]

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in June 2008; Ajmal was included in the 15-man squad and was expected to act as a foil to Shahid Afridi's leg spin.^[7] He made his debut against India on 2 July 2008. Ajmal took a single wicket, that of Yusuf Pathan, from his ten overs while conceding 47 runs (1/47) as Pakistan won by eight wickets.^[8] before taking 2/19 in a ten-wicket victory over Bangladesh, although the team had no chance of progressing to the competition's final.^[9] In November that year Pakistan travelled to the United Arab Emirates to face the West Indies in a three-match ODI series. Ajmal and Afridi were the team's only spin options;^[10] the former took a single wicket while conceding 73 runs and Pakistan won all three matches.^[11]

Ajmal's next match the third ODI against Sri Lanka in January 2009.^[12] In April Pakistan faced Australia in the UAE in five ODIs. Playing in all five matches Ajmal took four wickets at an average of 39.50.^[13] He was then picked for the Sri Lankan series in Sri Lanka where he had made solid performances in the Test matches, being picked ahead of Danish Kaneria in two of the matches.

In April 2009, Ajmal was reported by umpires for having a suspect bowling action. An independent test the following month demonstrated that Ajmal's arm flexed within the 15 degree tolerance allowed by the International Cricket Council.^[14] Later that year, the Pakistan Cricket Board named a pool of 30 players from which they would chose their final squad for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, held in June. Initially left out, Ajmal was one of three players added to the list, replacing players who were dropped because they were contracted with the controversial Indian Cricket League.^[15] In the tournament, Ajmal partnered Afridi.^[16] Pakistan won the tournament,^[17] and Ajmal was the tournament's joint second highest wicket-taker with twelve dismissals from seven games (only Pakistan's Umar Gul took more wickets, with thirteen dismissals).^[18]

Ajmal's good form continued in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 as he was Pakistan's leading wicket taker. However despite his good form he was known for conceding three sixes to Michael Hussey in what has been hailed as the most thrilling Twenty20 match of all time as Australia were in trouble and Ajmal was the unfortunate bowler who bowled that final over.^[19]

Shortly after this the Pakistan team began a tour of England where they would face Australia in two Tests in July, and subsequently play England in four Tests and five ODIs. Danish Kaneria was preferred to Ajmal in the first match against Australia, but after Pakistan lost the selectors considered dropping the leg-spinner and chosing Ajmal.^[20] In the event, Ajmal was not selected until the second Test against England,^[21] when Kaneria was dropped because he had been ineffective. Though Pakistan lost the match by nine wickets, Ajmal took his first five-wicket haul in Tests. In Pakistan's second innings, with his team looking to set a target for England to chase, Ajmal scored 50 from 79 balls, his first half-century in Tests, before he was dismissed by fellow off spinner Graeme Swann.^[22][23]

During the series against England, Pakistan became engulfed in a spot fixing scandal after the fourth test. In a later secret interview it was unveiled by alleged fixer Mazhar Majeed that Ajmal, Abdul Razzaq, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi were too difficult to bribe. He stated that Ajmal was too religious to get involved into fixing.^[24]

After the controversy and upheaval of 2010, 2011 saw Pakistan become a more consistent team. The year began with the World Cup held between February and April. Pakistan progressed to the semi-final, where they were defeated by India;^[25] playing in three of the team's matches, Ajmal took five wickets at an average of 18.60.^[26][27] After the World Cup, Pakistan played ten Tests, winning six andlosing a single match;^[28] this saw the team win series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and draw with the West Indies.^[25] Ajmal finished the year with 50 wickets from 8 Tests, more than any other bowler (second on the list was India's Ishant Sharma with 43).^[29] Pakistan were also largely successful in ODIs, winning 24 out of 32.^[25] After Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 4–1 in November 2011, Ajmal climbed to the number one spot in the ICC's ODI rankings.^[30] He finished the year by taking nine wickets over two Tests in Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh.^[31]

Pakistan started 2012 with a three Test series against England in the United Arab Emirates. Ajmal was named the man of the match for the first Test in Dubai, with match figures of 10 wickets for 97 runs and a career best 7/55 in England's first innings.^[32][33] In the second fixture he dismissed Matt Prior to become the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 wickets in Tests, taking 19 matches to accomplish the feat.^[34] The series concluded with Pakistan completing a 3-0 whitewash over England, and Ajmal was named man of the series after claiming 24 wickets at an average of 14.70.^[35][36]

In the immediate aftermath of the Test series, following confusion over comments from Ajmal about his bowling action in an interview to the BBC,^[37] ESPNCricinfo published detailed information on the issue after a thorough investigation by journalist George Dobell with extensive discussion with ICC having been conducted. The resulting articles underlined the fact that Ajmal's bowling action falls well within the legal bounds set by the ICC for bowlers.^[38][39]

Bowling style[link]

A right-arm off spinner, Ajmal's stock delivery turns into right-handed batsman but he also frequently uses the doosra which turns the other way,^[22] and he generally bowls flatter than most off spinners. The doosra has been an effective tool for Ajmal as batsmen have often failed to pick it. Explaining his bowling style in 2012, Ajmal said "If I bowl with flight I cannot bowl well. If I bowl at a quicker speed I can then use variations in pace. If I take 70% of my wickets with the doosra why should I not bowl it? Whether you bowl a doosra or an offbreak, the ball should be bowled on the right line and one should take a wicket with it."^[40]

Bowling Records[link]

Key[link]

Test five-wicket hauls[link]

No.	Date	Ground	Against	Match	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Batsmen	Result
1	02010-08-06August 6, 2010	Edgbaston, Birmingham, England	England	&100000000000000060000006	&100000000000000020000002	&1000000000000002610000026.1	&1000000000000008200000082	05144 !5	&100000000000000031299993.13	Kevin Pietersen Paul Collingwood Matt Prior Graeme Swann Stuart Broad	Lost[41]
2	02011-05-12May 12, 2011*	Providence Stadium, Providence, Guyana	West Indies	&1000000000000001000000010	&100000000000000010000001	&1000000000000003300000033	&1000000000000006900000069	05144 !5	&100000000000000020899992.09	Lendl Simmons Shivnarine Chanderpaul Brendan Nash Carlton Baugh Kemar Roach	Lost[42]
3	02011-05-12May 12, 2011*	Providence Stadium, Providence, Guyana	West Indies	&1000000000000001000000010	&100000000000000030000003	&1000000000000002350000023.5	&1000000000000004200000042	05144 !6	&100000000000000017600001.76	Darren Bravo Kemar Roach Ramnaresh Sarwan Carlton Baugh Ravi Rampaul Devendra Bishoo	Lost[42]
4	02011-10-26October 26, 2011♠	DSC Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE	Sri Lanka	&1000000000000001400000014	&100000000000000030000003	&1000000000000003050000030.5	&1000000000000006800000068	05144 !5	&100000000000000022000002.20	Tharanga Paranavitana Mahela Jayawardene Rangana Herath Chanaka Welegedara Suranga Lakmal	Won[43]
5	02012-01-17January 17, 2012♠*	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE	England	&1000000000000001800000018	&100000000000000010000001	&1000000000000002430000024.3	&1000000000000005500000055	05144 !7	&100000000000000022400002.24	Andrew Strauss Kevin Pietersen Ian Bell Eoin Morgan Stuart Broad Chris Tremlett James Anderson	Won[44]

10-wickets in a match[link]

No.	Date	Ground	Against	Match	Runs	Wkts	Result
1	02011-05-12May 12, 2011♠	Providence Stadium, Providence, Guyana	West Indies	&1000000000000001000000010	&10000000000000111000000111	05144 !11	Lost[42]
2	02012-01-17January 17, 2012	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE	England	18	97	10	Won[44]

ODI five-wicket hauls[link]

No.	Date	Ground	Against	Match	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Batsmen	Result
1	02012-02-13February 13, 2012	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE	England	&1000000000000005700000057	&100000000000000010000001	&1000000000000001000000010	&1000000000000004300000043	05144 !5	&100000000000000042999994.30	Alastair Cook Ravi Bopara Eoin Morgan Craig Kieswetter Stuart Broad	Lost[45]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Saeed Ajmal Wickets
• Player profile: Saeed Ajmal from ESPNcricinfo
• Player profile: Saeed Ajmal from CricketArchive

v t e Pakistan squad – 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Winners (1st Title) 1 Younis Khan 2 Abdul Razzaq 3 Ahmed Shehzad 4 Fawad Alam 5 Iftikhar Anjum 6 Misbah-ul-Haq 7 Kamran Akmal (wk) 8 Mohammad Amir 9 Saeed Ajmal 10 Salman Butt 11 Shahid Afridi 12 Shahzaib Hasan 13 Shoaib Malik 14 Umar Gul 15 Yasir Arafat 16 Sohail Tanvir Coach: Intikhab Alam Shoaib Akhtar and Yasir Arafat were named in the original squad but injuries led to them being withdrawn. Abdul Razzaq was sent as a replacement for Yasir Arafat.

v t e Pakistan squad – 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Semi-Finalists 1 Shahid Afridi (c) 2 Abdul Razzaq 3 Abdur Rehman 4 Fawad Alam 5 Hammad Azam 6 Kamran Akmal (wk) 7 Khalid Latif 8 Misbah-ul-Haq 9 Mohammad Amir 10 Mohammad Asif 11 Mohammad Hafeez 12 Mohammad Sami 13 Saeed Ajmal 14 Salman Butt 15 Umar Akmal Coach: Waqar Younis Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat were named in the original squad but injuries led to them being withdrawn. Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Sami were sent as their replacements.

v t e Pakistan squad – 2011 Cricket World Cup Semi-Finalists 8 Mohammad Hafeez 10 Shahid Afridi (c) 12 Abdul Razzaq 14 Shoaib Akhtar 19 Ahmed Shehzad 22 Misbah-ul-Haq 23 Kamran Akmal (wk) 36 Abdur Rehman 47 Wahab Riaz 50 Saeed Ajmal 55 Umar Gul 75 Younus Khan 81 Asad Shafiq 96 Umar Akmal 99 Junaid Khan Coach: Waqar Younis Sohail Tanvir was named in the original squad but injuries led to him being withdrawn. Junaid Khan was sent as his replacement

Shane Watson

Personal information
Full name	Shane Robert Watson
Born	(1981-06-17) 17 June 1981 (age 31) Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
Nickname	Watto, Danger man
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Batting style	Right-hand
Bowling style	Right-arm fast-medium
Role	All-rounder (Opening batsmen)
International information
National side	Australia
Test debut (cap 391)	2 January 2005 v Pakistan
Last Test	17 November 2011 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 148)	24 March 2002 v South Africa
Last ODI	4 March 2012 v Sri Lanka
ODI shirt no.	33
T20I debut (cap 19)	24 February 2006 v South Africa
Last T20I	8 August 2011 lastT20Iyear = 2012 v Sri Lanka
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2001–2004	Tasmania
2004–2009	Queensland
2005	Hampshire
2008–	Rajasthan Royals
2009–	New South Wales
2011–	Sydney Sixers
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	List A
Matches	32	144	100	205
Runs scored	2,135	4,288	7,186	6,055
Batting average	38.12	42.50	45.19	40.09
100s/50s	2/16	6/25	17/40	8/36
Top score	126	185*	203*	185*
Balls bowled	3,164	5,036	9,389	6,922
Wickets	56	138	189	180
Bowling average	28.01	29.55	27.37	31.99
5 wickets in innings	3	0	7	0
10 wickets in match	0	0	1	0
Best bowling	6/33	4/36	7/69	4/36
Catches/stumpings	24/–	47/–	81/–	66/–
Source: Cricinfo, 22 November 2011

Shane Robert Watson (born 17 June 1981) 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, becoming the second player (after Ricky Ponting) to win back-to back Allan Border Medals. Watson's wife Lee, whom he married on 3 June 2010, is a Fox Sports Australia presenter.^[1]

Playing career[link]

Early career[link]

Watson was an AIS Australian Cricket Academy scholarship holder in 2000.^[2] He started his first-class cricketing career for Tasmania after leaving his home state of Queensland, but returned to play for his native Queensland as his international career was beginning. He has also played for Hampshire in the English County Championship in 2005. He regards Terry Alderman as one of his mentors.

International career[link]

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.

Watson in the field during Australia's tour of England in 2009. During the Ashes he replaced Phillip Hughes as opener.

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5] 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.^[6]

Indian Premier League[link]

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.^[7]

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.^[8] 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.^[9]

Achievements[link]

Test Centuries[link]

Test Match Centuries of Shane Watson
#	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year	Home/Away
1	120*	15	Pakistan	Melbourne, Australia	Melbourne Cricket Ground	2009	Home
2	126	21	India	Mohali, India	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium	2010	Away

ODI Centuries[link]

ODI Match Centuries of Shane Watson
#	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year	Home/Away/Neutral
1	126	69	West Indies	Grenada, West Indies	National Cricket Stadium	2008	Away
2	116*	77	Pakistan	Abu Dhabi, UAE	Sheikh Zayed Stadium	2009	Neutral
3	136*	89	England	Centurion, South Africa	SuperSport Park	2009	Neutral
4	105*	90	New Zealand	Centurion, South Africa	SuperSport Park	2009	Neutral
5	161*	118	England	Melbourne, Australia	Melbourne Cricket Ground	2011	Home
6	185*	132	Bangladesh	Dhaka, Bangladesh	Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium	2011	Away

Test 5-Wicket Hauls[link]

Shane Watson's Test 5-Wicket Hauls
#	Figures	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year	Result
1	5–40	19	Pakistan	London, England	Lord's	2010	Win
2	6–33	20	Pakistan	Leeds, England	Headingley Stadium	2010	Loss
3	5–17	31	South Africa	Cape Town, South Africa	Newlands Cricket Ground	2011	Loss

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.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shane Watson

• Cricinfo page on Shane Watson
• Shane Watson profile at cricket.com.au