Critics Are Too Quick To Ridicule Watson

Tristan Lavalette suggests that a cricketer who divided so much opinion Down Under always deserved to be judged in a far more favourable light.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters were ashen-faced. Almost distraught. A record fourth IPL title appeared to be slipping away as their captain – and national demigod – MS Dhoni trudged off after being spectacularly run out.

Chasing a modest 150 against Mumbai Indians, CSK were spiralling at 82-4 in the 13th over.

They shouldn’t have been so crestfallen. Shane Watson – who when he is bludgeoning boundaries through his powerful physique looks remarkably like Thor wielding a hammer – was still there. And he quickly became a one-man wrecking ball with a flurry of muscular shots to the boundary.

He made his move in the 16th over by smashing three consecutive boundaries off Lasith Malinga and suddenly CSK needed only nine runs off the final over to claim the title. Watson was on the cusp of becoming the hero.

Almost fittingly, considering Watson’s knack for tragic comedy, it did not go to script. On the third last ball, with just four runs needed for victory, he was run out attempting a second run to end his brilliant 59-ball 80.

It all ended in heartbreak for a gallant CSK, who were so close to an upset over mighty Mumbai. Malinga proved to be the real hero with a clutch slow cutter that completely bamboozled Shardul Thakar on the last delivery as Mumbai won an epic by one run to trigger wild celebrations.

Malinga raised his arms aloft like a heavyweight boxing champion. Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma raced around like he had suddenly summoned the agility of Usain Bolt.