Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
The 39-year-old who has finished his career playing with Sutherland has hung up his boots after an illustrious career during which he won two ICC Men's Cricket World Cups and two ICC Champions Trophy titles.
Long time Sutherland Cricket Club official Tom Iceton paid tribute to Watson's outstanding playing career, retiring as one of Australia's greatest modern cricketers.
"Sutherland DCC were very fortunate that Shane fell in love with Lee Furlong, resulting in him moving to live in the Shire," he said.
"He joined SDCC after the 2009 tour of England, but due to his Australian and NSW commitments, he didn't make his debut until 11 February 2012 at Waverley Oval."
A cricketing odyssey that started 31-years-ago in Ipswich came to a close in Abu Dhabi last week.
In 2000, he moved to Tasmania and made his first-class debut playing state cricket for Tasmania for four seasons, Queensland for five, New South Wales for five and county cricket for Hampshire for two seasons.
He also played in 12 Indian Premier League series, the Big Bash League five times, the Pakistan Super League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Bangladesh Premier League and the T10 Cricket League in the UAE.
His career for Australia is outstanding. He played 59 Tests, played 190 ODI's and 58 T20 internationals, captaining Australia in all three forms of cricket.
Of the 458 Australians who have played Test cricket, Shane is one of only three who have scored 3000 runs and taken 75 wickets in Tests, the others being Steve Waugh (10927 & 92) and Shane Warne (3154 & 708).
Of the 229 Australians who have played ODI's, Shane and Steve Waugh (7569 & 195) are the only two who have scored 5000 runs and taken 150 wickets.
Of the 94 Australians who have played T20 International cricket, Shane is the only player who has scored 1000 runs and taken 45 wickets.
Shane committed to playing for Sutherland whenever he was available, realising that he still needed to be playing regular cricket in between T20 commitments around the world.
His career record for Sutherland stands at 25 matches, 27 innings (2 no), 1220 runs, 48.80 average, scoring four centuries, one a remarkable 184 against St George in the local derby at Glenn McGrath Oval in 2017. He and Jarryd Biviano (122) put on 300 for the second wicket, the club's first 300-run partnership.
Tom said more than the sheer numbers of Shane's performances for Sutherland, the true benefit of his contribution to the club has been what he brought off the field.
"His diligent approach to training set an example to all players who were there with him," he said.
"He was as happy to help lower graders as he was his teammates and was more than willing to talk to all players as a group at training about how he approached practice to prepare himself for match day.
"Most of all, Shane just really enjoyed being part of a grade cricket club, away from the glitz and glamour of the international cricket scene.
"Shane, the pleasure has been all ours."
John Veage
Thirty five year photographer for Fairfax -former NSW Chief Photographer for FCN and now Photo Journalist for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader in southern Sydney.Official photographer for Cycling Australia (20 years) Official photographer for Surf Life Saving Australia (30 years) Founding Life Member of Cronulla Boardriders Club and Life Member of Surfing Sutherland Shire among other things.
Thirty five year photographer for Fairfax -former NSW Chief Photographer for FCN and now Photo Journalist for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader in southern Sydney.Official photographer for Cycling Australia (20 years) Official photographer for Surf Life Saving Australia (30 years) Founding Life Member of Cronulla Boardriders Club and Life Member of Surfing Sutherland Shire among other things.
