Watson set to end career after IPL disappointment

DUBAI: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has decided to retire from all cricket after Chennai Super Kings failed to reach the Indian Premier League playoffs, a team member told AFP on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old has made nothing public but told his Chennai teammates of his decision in an “emotional” speech after their last IPL game on Sunday.

Tributes have already been made to the former stalwart of the Australian Test side.

“The curtain closes on a remarkable IPL career. Congratulations mate you’ve done yourself proud and made every team you’ve played in so complete,” wrote another former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody on Twitter.

Watson quit international cricket in 2016 but kept playing in Twenty20 leagues such as the IPL. He retired from Australia’s Big Bash last year.

He has played more than 700 international and domestic matches, scoring more than 25,000 runs with his big-hitting style and claiming in excess of 600 wickets with his pace bowling.

Watson won the inaugural IPL in 2008 with the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals and secured a second with Chennai in 2018.