Sydney, March 21 (IANS) Former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes all-rounder Shane Watson has finally answered his critics after playing a match-winning knock in Friday’s six-wicket World Cup quarter final win over Pakistan.
Watson remained not out on 64 as he ensured his team got over the line after being put under pressure while chasing 214.
Lee also credited Watson for the innings as he successfully countered a hostile spell from Pakistani fast-bowler Wahab Riaz.
"I think he's made plenty of people eat their words," Lee was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Saturday.
"His batting (on Friday) night was one of the best innings I've seen under pressure. You need to realise Riaz was bowling serious pace and it was one of the best spells of fast bowling - especially from Pakistan - I've seen in a long time.
That pull shot he played off Riaz (the six) was the shot of the match. Yes, he was dropped (on four) but he (recovered to) provide a steady hand, all because he's someone who has been in that situation many times before," said Lee.
The 38-year-old said the experience of Watson could help Australia reclaim the quadrennial trophy.
"In Shane Watson we have a bloke who has played (185) one-day internationals and his experience will help Australia go a long way to fulfilling it's aim to win the World Cup. His innings against Pakistan was a mixture of guts and maturity.
He steadied the ship because Australia was under pressure (at 3-59) when he came in."
The winner of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup, Lee added Watson not only offers a lot with the willow and the ball, but he also works tirelessly off-the-field with the younger lot in the outfit.
"He doesn't just offer a lot with bat, ball and in the field, but behind the closed doors of the change rooms he works with the young guys as they come through."
"Speak to the players about when they were young guys - Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and now Josh Hazlewood - and they'll speak highly of Shane's presence because he's willing to pass on the lessons from his own experiences," he said.
The head of the data analyst department of Congress raised questions about the old pension system!
Amid the election atmosphere in the country, many promises and issues are coming to the fore. The matter of the old pension scheme has also been heated in the elections from Himachal Pradesh to
Weather Update: North and Central India is in the grip of heat, know how the weather will be in other states including Delhi-NCR
Temperatures are increasing continuously in many parts of the country. In March this year, the fierce heat march continued across the country. According to the Meteorological Department, severe heat
Moto G82 5G: With tremendous battery and powerful camera, this Smartphone is coming to rule the hearts, know the price
Moto G82 5G Price In India: It seems that Motorola's series is not taking the name to the end, as the company is launching new phones almost every week. Now it is being said that Motorola is planning
Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat said – China is the biggest threat to India's security
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat has said that China has become the biggest threat to India's security and the withdrawal of thousands of troops and weapons sent along the Line of
How dangerous is CT-Scan to detect corona? AIIMS director Randeep Guleria told
New Delhi: Amid increasing cases of the corona, a large number of people are undergoing CT scans. Many people are having negative symptoms even after having corona symptoms, after which the doctors
Jacqueline Fernandez: ED summons Jacqueline Fernandez again in the extortion case of 200 crores
Jacqueline Fernandez ED Enquiry: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez today for questioning in the case of bigoted Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Jacqueline has been
Who is Gukesh: Gukesh is India's youngest Grandmaster and has also defeated Carlsen, just a few steps away from the world title.
17-year-old D Gukesh from Chennai had participated in the prestigious Candidates Tournament as the second youngest player. However, now after playing a draw against Hikaru
TMC bids on Shubhendu joining BJP - Happy evening for us, virus-free
The Trinamool government of West Bengal has been given a major setback by the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday. Many leaders have joined BJP, including Mamata's most special Shubhendu Adhikari.
IND vs SA Playing 11: India will aim to clinch the T20 series; Bumrah to return; is Sanju Samson's inclusion confirmed?
The fifth and final match of the five-match T20 series between India and South Africa will be played in Ahmedabad on Friday. The Indian team currently leads the series 2-1. India has a good
Assembly elections 2022: Why are Congress and other opposition parties behind BJP in digital campaigning?
In February, elections are going to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur. On the other hand, amid the third wave of the corona epidemic in the country, there is a great
