Sad to be leaving the Champions League T20 cricket tournament prematurely, Shane Watson is confident the unbeaten Sydney Sixers can win it without him.
Star allrounder Watson signed off in style by taking 2-25 off four overs and smashing 47 off 38 balls in the Sixers’ five-wicket win over South Africa’s Highveld Lions in Cape Town on Friday morning (AEDT).
Their third victory in as many games guarantees Sydney a semi-final place and almost certainly ensures top spot in their group with one game against Mumbai Indians to come.
“For us (the Sixers) to be able to qualify for the semi-finals was certainly my goal,” Watson said.
“Personally to be able to help contribute to make sure that we’re in the semi-finals before I head home, it’s worked out very nicely.
“It’s going to be sad to leave.
“I know with the quality of group that we have, we’re a real chance of winning this.”
Watson will arrive home on Saturday after Cricket Australia (CA) directed his early return to rest before getting in some “red ball” cricket in the lead-up to the first Test against South Africa in Brisbane starting on November 9.
Watson said he could play a Sydney grade game next weekend before lining up for NSW in a Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland in Brisbane the following weekend.
The sometimes injury-prone Watson said he’d been talking to CA officials for about six months over his workload.
“In the end, I know having a week off will definitely freshen me up,” Watson said.
Pacemen Mitchell Starc (3-19 off four), Josh Hazlewood (2-18 off 4), Watson and Moises Henriques (1-18 off 3) were all instrumental in pulling the Highveld Lions’ run rate back in Cape Town.
They belted 25 off the first two overs and were well placed at 2-77 at the halfway point of their innings.
Apart from opener Gulam Bodi (61 off 44), no one made more than 23 and no partnership gleaned more than 32.
Man of the match Starc picked up his third three-wicket haul in as many games.
Watson said Starc was doing everything possible to give himself a chance to be in the Australian team for the first Test.
“Mitchell had an awesome T20 World Cup and he’s continued to follow it on here,” Watson said.
“There is no doubt that having a left-armer who bowls 140km/h, who swings the ball back in with a bit of bounce at the Gabba and in Perth, will certainly be a huge asset for our team.”
Watson also praised in-form Sixers’ captain and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who is battling to regain his Test spot from incumbent Matthew Wade.
Haddin, who scored a Shield century against Tasmania last month, followed his 41 off 21 balls against Yorkshire with 32 off 21, hitting three successive sixes in one over.
“I think he’s in some serious touch at the moment and, as he always does, he keeps (wicket) very well,” Watson said.
