Australia’s most valuable player, Shane Watson, says legendary leg-spinner, Shane Warne, King of Spin, has a great influence on his cricket.
The all-rounder concludes that his way of thinking and perceiving the game has received a great boost by playing under the legendary leg-spinner.
Watson has been part of Rajasthan Royals, Indian Premier League franchise, captained by Warne, for four straight seasons.
"Warney's influence on me, throughout the last three or four years, since I've been able to spend a lot more time playing with him, has been very significant on my game, the way I bowl, and reading the game more”, said the Aussie all-rounder.
Watson also known as Watto expressed that watching Warne helps him and the tactics applied by him opens his eyes. Watto further says Michael Clarke, current skipper of Australian cricket team, and close friend of Warne, has the same mind as former cricketer.
He postulates that the King of Spin has been an inspirational figure behind Clarke’s mindset and it is quite evident by the fielding he sets and decisions he make.
Watson tags Warney, as probably the best mind that has ever played cricket. Watson said that he does not get enough chance to play Warne much in the nets but hopes he faces him more before Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka.
He feels the Lankans have a good spin attack and playing someone of Warne’s calibre will enhance his skills against spin.
“Seeing the things that Warney does, his tactical thinking, really seeing that at work, continues to open my eyes. It’s pretty amazing to see the decisions he makes, and the fields that he sets come off nine out of 10 times. There’s no doubt in my mind that Warney is one of the best minds that's ever played the game”, said Watson.
Watson has been promoted to the rank of vice-captain in the Australian side. He has been in supreme form for Kangaroos and because of his consistent performances, the all-rounder has been awarded with Allan Border medals, Australia’s highest cricket award, for two years in a row.
Watto has grown much in the past three to four years. From an injury prone cricketer, to probably the best all-rounder in the world right now, the Aussie has come a long way. However, Watson still considers himself in the developmental stage. And with players such as Rahul Dravid and Warne in his IPL side he will learn a lot.
Watto is keen on taking up his leadership role along with skipper Clarke. But he is fully aware of the fact that they may not be able to accomplish the feats that Australia did when Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Glen McGrath, and Matthew Hayden were in the side.
He said that fans expect them to perform the same way as his predecessors did. They want them to go in with aggressive intent but there is no shame in admitting that the whole Aussie side during that time was filled with brilliant cricketers. However, he was determined to develop their current side into similar superstars.
