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Watson Returns Home to Queensland

Thursday, April 29 2004

In the biggest winter coup thus far, Shane Watson has turned his back on chilly Tasmania to return to his home state of Queensland.

Watson - who played the most recent of his 23 ODI's in January 2003 - was offered a chance at first-class cricket by Tasmania in 2000 following gaining a reputation as Queensland's leading young cricketer.

Season 2003/04 proved to be the most prolific of the all-rounders career, where despite struggling with back problems that hampered his bowling he registered 983 runs in the Pura Cup - including a career best of 157 against New South Wales at the SCG - ironically now his neighboring grudge state.

Following the retirement of Stuart Law from the Queensland side - a vocal opponent of Watson's original move to Tasmania - the talented youngster found the lure of a number 4 batting position in his home state too difficult to shy from.

He had also been suffering from prolonged homesickness since his move, struggling to adjust to life without his family, friends and the Queensland weather.

Following stress fractures of the back in 2003 a remodeled bowling action offers Watson the chance to develop into a frontline all-rounder on a more friendly 'Gabba wicket instead of an often unforgiving Hobart strip.

Earlier this month Watson was offered another Cricket Australia contract and recalled to the Australian ODI side. Due to being contracted by the national board, Tasmania cannot block his return to his home state as the prodigal son.

He was the Tigers vice-captain throughout the previous summer and was recently signed as a cover player for English county Hampshire.

Posted by Andre