Australia all-rounder over the moon after getting to lead the side in the absence of injured Michael Clarke
Two weeks after he angrily stormed out of the team, Shane Watson finally achieved his dream of becoming Australia’s Test captain as he stepped out to lead the team in place of injured skipper Michael Clarke in the fourth Test against India yesterday.
44th Oz skipper: Shane Watson during a practice session. PIC/Getty Images
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Watson, who became the 44th Australian Test captain, said it was an honour to be appointed. Clarke stood down after he failed to recover from chronic back pain. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will be Watson’s deputy.
“It’s really a dream come true to be asked to captain your country. I’ve captained some One-Day Internationals, but to be asked to captain a Test will be the ultimate honour.
“It’s obviously very disappointing that Michael hasn’t come up, his batting and leadership will certainly be sorely missed, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and responsibility over the next five days, Watson said in a statement.
For Watson, captaincy comes a week of high drama that saw him angrily leave India in a hurry after he was dropped for the third Test, along with three others, for breaching discipline in Mohali.
Watson, who was Clarke’s deputy, was even contemplating retirement as he returned home to be with his wife Lee for the birth of their first child, Will. He was also upset with Cricket Australia (CA) high performance manager Pat Howard, who said that Watson was only “sometimes” a team player.
But later Watson and Howard called a truce and the all-rounder decided to return to join the team for the Delhi Test.u00a0The 31-year-old Watson admitted it has been a roller coaster ride for him in the last two weeks.
“It has been a very up and down week emotionally. To be stood down from a Test match hit me very hard and it’s been a great process over the week to get back into the team and contribute again.
“Michael and Mickey talked to me about it when I first arrived back in India so I knew it was always going to be touch and go with Michael to be at good fitness and able to play,” admits Watson.u00a0“I mentally started preparing from there knowing I could have the opportunity,” said Watson.
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