Ponting hails Watson's performance by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	RT Ponting, SR Watson
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2009/10

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DateLine: 6th October 2009

 

Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting was truly impressed by "the real Shane Watson" after he helped Australia win the Champions Trophy title.

 

The all-rounder, who blasted a hundred both in the final and the semis was man-of-the-match on both the occasions.

 

It was not that easy for the team from Down Under as they were reduced to six for two in the third over of their chase following the early dismissals of Tim Paine and captain Ponting.

 

But then Watson and Cameron White (62) dug in with a 128-run stand which proved decisive and the skipper was thrilled the opener had produced his best when it mattered most.

 

"I think the last couple of months of his cricket life probably, we've started to really see the real Shane Watson," Ponting said.

 

"Getting his opportunity in the Ashes to open the batting, a position he is not really accustomed to, he played beautifully there.

 

"Now sort of back to his full fitness, he's showing everybody just how good a cricketer he can be. The way he bowled against England I thought was terrific and then to come out and make 130-odd was a great effort."

 

"You can't get a much harder situation than you did tonight. You're in a big game, you're in a final, you chasing a low score, you're two for six and you got two relatively young guys at the crease," he continued.

 

"To see those guys stand up and get us across the line was very satisfying. It's always been one of our great strengths in the Australian team that if some of the bigger names don't stand up, then we'll generally find someone that will put their hand up and do it.

 

The victory made the Australians the first ever side to win the title twice and also handed them a fourth win in the past five global 50-over tournaments.

 

"This is a very special achievement and if you look at the Australian cricket team, the ups and downs we've been through over the last 18 months, then I think this is a real positive for us," the skipper said.

 

"It's great to see now that we're getting more experience in some of the younger guys that they're starting to make major impacts on the international game, as Shane has done over the past few days."