Shane Watson names Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne as his favourite skippers

Shane Watson, the former Australian skipper, said that he enjoyed playing under the leadership of Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne. Watson was one of the Aussies premier all-rounders, scoring nearly 11,000 runs apart from picking up 291 wickets from 307 matches.

He hung his boots from international cricket after the match against Virat Kohli’s India at Mohali in the 2016 edition of the World T20. The 38-year-old Watson lauded both Warne and Ponting for formulating effective tactics and their ability to deal with others as well.

“For me, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne were my favourite captains. Both of them were very special. They had incredible man-management skills, and tactically they were very good as well. Both were the greatest players that I’ve played with,” Watson was quoted as saying in cricket.com.au.

Talking about Ponting, Watson lauded him for showing immense belief and support. “The support that I got all the way along, especially from Ricky Ponting in particular. He believed in me more than I believed on myself.

I remember walking around the ground after we had won. I’m with the trophy and just him saying how happy he was that I was here with him after knowing that I missed the previous one,” he stated.

Warne was a phenomenal captain: Shane Watson

Watson also had a chance of playing under Shane Warne in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). In the maiden season, Watson was a part of the Rajasthan Royals when the team won the championship, beating Chennai Super Kings in the final.

“I played under Shane Warne for Rajasthan Royals for four years. He was a phenomenal captain; there is no question. Tactically, on and off the field and from the management point of view, he was incredible,” Watson added.

It was in 2008 itself when Watson’s career turned around. The Queenslander became the Player of the Series courtesy his all-round show. In 15 matches, Watson scored 472 runs at an average of 47.20 with four half-centuries to show for his efforts.

Most importantly, he played at a strike-rate of 151.76. With the ball, he was effective as well, picking up 17 wickets at a decent economy of 7.07.