Shane Watson and Brad Haddin: Two of the big pillars of Australian cricket are gone. Although Shane has promised to keep playing the white ball cricket, It still embarks an end to two outstanding cricketers of our times who served world cricket.
Every time, you see a picture of Shane Watson, it will smile back at you. He was like that. Always played the game fair and square. He will be extremely disappointed to give up his attempts to become a top class test player. Played 59 games over a span of 10 years, missed 60 games in those years mainly because of injuries. He averaged way below what he averages in limited overs. Batted in all positions from 1-8 with a mediocre average of 35. With the ball, he has a gift to extract reverse swing in any condition. Yet, he finished with 75 test wickets. Sad.
Every time, he tried to settle into the team, he couldn't continue. He gave everything he had, yet not much came out of it. Perhaps it was destined to happen. His LBW dismissals became a laughing stock of the world. He was always susceptible to flicks down the leg side. The shot which made him look so elegant brought him the most number of downfalls too.
Brad was not much different. He was vocal and chirpy. On most occasions. He had a profilic run during 2013-14 ashes, when he was equally good with Mitchell Johnson to hand Australia over a clean sweep. The man of series could well have been him. He went past 50 everytime during first innings of all five games. Matching Gilly is always difficult, but Everyone believed that Brad was one of the most important members of the side till the time he played.
The slump in form of Brad haddin was evident for last 12 months. He was struggling with bat. Yet, he was picked with the thinking that maybe he will repeat the heroics of 2 years ago. It didnt' happen. He was given a chance at Cardiff, where he failed with the bat and gloves. He was about to be given second chance at Lord's but he withdrew his name as his daughter was in hospital. A family man, always. He paid price for it. Nevill made his debut and impressed. Haddin was never to play in the series again. The end, apparently. After the series, Pup and Bucky went. Haddin delayed the declaration then. Many would have thought he was still waiting for a chance. Then After two weeks, He announced his retirement at Sydney Cricket Ground: the place where he grew up playing.
Haddin was almost always portrayed as villain. He never minded it as long as it helped Australian cricket to give its best. A team man, forever. None of a single Australian team member has any bad word to say for him. He was like that. He was straightforward in his methods and interviews. I genuinely believe he will become a very fine coach.
Both, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin certainly made baggy green proud. World cricket will miss you both from test arena.
Every time, you see a picture of Shane Watson, it will smile back at you. He was like that. Always played the game fair and square. He will be extremely disappointed to give up his attempts to become a top class test player. Played 59 games over a span of 10 years, missed 60 games in those years mainly because of injuries. He averaged way below what he averages in limited overs. Batted in all positions from 1-8 with a mediocre average of 35. With the ball, he has a gift to extract reverse swing in any condition. Yet, he finished with 75 test wickets. Sad.
Every time, he tried to settle into the team, he couldn't continue. He gave everything he had, yet not much came out of it. Perhaps it was destined to happen. His LBW dismissals became a laughing stock of the world. He was always susceptible to flicks down the leg side. The shot which made him look so elegant brought him the most number of downfalls too.
Brad was not much different. He was vocal and chirpy. On most occasions. He had a profilic run during 2013-14 ashes, when he was equally good with Mitchell Johnson to hand Australia over a clean sweep. The man of series could well have been him. He went past 50 everytime during first innings of all five games. Matching Gilly is always difficult, but Everyone believed that Brad was one of the most important members of the side till the time he played.
The slump in form of Brad haddin was evident for last 12 months. He was struggling with bat. Yet, he was picked with the thinking that maybe he will repeat the heroics of 2 years ago. It didnt' happen. He was given a chance at Cardiff, where he failed with the bat and gloves. He was about to be given second chance at Lord's but he withdrew his name as his daughter was in hospital. A family man, always. He paid price for it. Nevill made his debut and impressed. Haddin was never to play in the series again. The end, apparently. After the series, Pup and Bucky went. Haddin delayed the declaration then. Many would have thought he was still waiting for a chance. Then After two weeks, He announced his retirement at Sydney Cricket Ground: the place where he grew up playing.
Haddin was almost always portrayed as villain. He never minded it as long as it helped Australian cricket to give its best. A team man, forever. None of a single Australian team member has any bad word to say for him. He was like that. He was straightforward in his methods and interviews. I genuinely believe he will become a very fine coach.
Both, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin certainly made baggy green proud. World cricket will miss you both from test arena.
