Turning the new generation of Big Bash fans into aspiring Test cricketers is the biggest challenge facing the sport in Australia according to Sydney Thunder captain and recently crowned Twenty20 player of the year Shane Watson.
The phenomenal success of the BBL has scored a fresh wave of cricketing fans attracted to the high-octane nature of the game and its family-friendly environment, which has boosted attendances to record levels and television viewership across the globe.
More Sports HQ Videos
- Video duration
- 01:47
Plays of the Week
Plays of the Week
From amazing tennis to NFL finals touchdowns, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sporting world this week.
Up Next
Nadal to face Federer after nailbiter
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Nadal to face Federer after nailbiter
Nadal to face Federer after nailbiter
Rafael Nadal defeated Grigor Dimitrov in an incredibly tense five setter that went for just under five hours.
Up Next
Jets win to go back in top six
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Jets win to go back in top six
Jets win to go back in top six
Two goals for Andrew Nabbout were enough for Newcastle to to see off Melbourne City.
Up Next
Australian Open 2017: Federer beats Wawrinka
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Australian Open 2017: Federer beats ...
Australian Open 2017: Federer beats Wawrinka
Roger Federer survived a stirring comeback and five-set challenge against Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka to take a giant leap into his first Australian Open final since 2010.
Up Next
Williams sisters to meet in Open final
- Video duration
- 01:24
- Video duration
- 01:24
Williams sisters to meet in Open final
Williams sisters to meet in Open final
Serena Williams and Venus Williams will meet in the 2017 Australian Open Final after defeating Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and Coco Vandeweghe respectively.
Up Next
Sydney take honours in top two clash
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Sydney take honours in top two clash
Sydney take honours in top two clash
Sydney FC extended their lead of the A-League to 11 competition points after out-gunning Melbourne Victory 2-1 in a fierce Australia Day battle at Etihad Stadium.
Up Next
Warner and Head set up big Australia Day win
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Warner and Head set up big Australia Day ...
Warner and Head set up big Australia Day win
David Warner’s fastest ODI century and a maiden ton by Travis Head set the platform for for a 57 run win over Pakistan.
Up Next
Akil Mitchell suffers horrific eye injury
- Video duration
- 00:55
- Video duration
- 00:55
Akil Mitchell suffers horrific eye injury
Akil Mitchell suffers horrific eye injury
The New Zealand Breakers forward's eye appeared to have been partially dislodged in an accidental clash with a Cairns Taipans player.
Plays of the Week
From amazing tennis to NFL finals touchdowns, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sporting world this week.
But Watson, one of Australia's greatest T20 exponents, says it's important today's children also develop a passion for cricket's purest form.
"The biggest challenge is to really be able to transition that love of the game of cricket into kids still wanting to play Test cricket," Watson said.
Related Content
"It is the ultimate challenge, that's where you want to challenge yourself against the best players in the world in Test cricket, but also all the cricketers that have gone before you because that's really the best guide to where you're at as a cricketer throughout your career.
"It's an incredible product that Cricket Australia have put together with the Big Bash. To be able to see so many young families come along and stay there until the last ball's bowled and enjoy every moment of it, it's a great way to be able to engage the young cricketers.
"When they come through to being late teens, early 20s, that will be the time when we really see how much of a pull T20 cricket has had and whether it's really changed the direction of what the priorities are for younger cricketers who are coming into domestic and first-class cricket."
Watson's BBL campaign ended last week when the Thunder were comprehensively beaten by the Adelaide Strikers at home, but he's contracted to play on for at least another season.
The recently retired international earned the Australian T20 player of the year crown after scoring 298 runs at 49.67 and taking nine wickets at 21.78 across nine matches during the voting period.
And while Watson has emphatically declared he's fully retired from Australian duties, he doesn't plan to stop playing T20 cricket any time soon.
"For me playing franchise cricket means that I can still get a fix of playing the game that I love in front of a lot of people at stadiums and I don't have the pressures of playing international cricket and everything that comes with that," Watson said.
"When you go out to play you have some good games and you have some horrific games as well where you just want to dig yourself a hole and bury yourself in it, but that's the beauty, that you're able to come back pretty much straight away in the T20 tournaments to be able to have another go."
0 comments
New User? Sign up