Shane Watson announces he is to retire after after the ICC World T20
Friday 25 March 2016 18:32, UK
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson is to retire from international cricket after the ICC World Twenty20.
Watson informed his team-mates of his decision on Thursday, having retired from Test cricket back in September.
He will have at least another two games left, however, with Australia concluding their Super 10 schedule, taking on Pakistan on Friday and host nation India on Monday.
The 34-year old has been a fixture for the side in all forms of the game, since making his one-day debut against South Africa in 2002.
Watson has revealed that he feels now is the "right time" to walk away from the game.
I just know it's the right time to able to right now clear my mind knowing that I've made the decision and be absolutely ready to go for these next two very important games
"It's been over the last week that it's really become clear that now really is the right time to retire from all international cricket," said Watson.
"I've been playing with the thought for a few months now and I know now with the way the group is continuing to evolve, which is exciting to be able to see, with my young family as well, and seeing the potential of the international schedule is hectic.
"And I just know it's the right time to able to right now clear my mind knowing that I've made the decision and be absolutely ready to go for these next two very important games."
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Watson is the last remaining player from the squad considered to be part of Australia's 'Golden Era,' alongside the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting.
The majority of those players stepped away in 2007, but Watson remained with the likes of Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson, and helped to lead Australia back to the No 1 Test ranking in 2014.
"I really enjoyed my time being back in the Australian squad but, it is quite different," added Watson.
"None of the guys that I played with growing up are here anymore.
"I know how privileged I've been to be in the position to start out so young with so many incredible players. That's part of what I've always seen myself being the filter to pass on that knowledge to the guys that I'm involved with."
Watson initially made his mark in the ODI form of the game, and would go on to win the World Cup in 2007. He has also featured in all six editions of the ICC World Twenty20 since its inception in the same year as the World Cup triumph.
He also participated in six Ashes series against England, including the whitewash victory in 2013-14. He solidified himself as a Test main-stay in 2009, deputising as captain for Michael Clarke in India in 2012-13.
Watson will walk away with a number of records across all forms of cricket. Among them, he is the only Australian to score a century in each format, while he has taken most wickets, scored the most sixes and has the best bowling figures by an Australian in T20.
He will continue to play domestic T20 cricket in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, the Big Bash League and the Pakistan Super League.
