Steyn, Broad, toughest I have faced in Tests: Shane Watson

Recently retired Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has named South African Dale Steyn and Stuart Broad as the toughest bowlers he has faced in his career spanning slightly over a decade. The 34-year old also stated that Dale Steyn was relentless with the new ball and was devastating with the late swing he extracted from the track.

“The one that consistently comes back is Dale Steyn, especially in Test cricket. Just how relentless he is with the new ball, he doesn’t really give you anything to hit, he swings the ball very late,” Watson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Monday.

“He’s got an incredible engine as well. His ability to keep coming back, his energy in his last spell when the ball starts doing something is pretty amazing.”

Broad has been fairly successful against Watson, dismissing him several times in Tests. Speaking about him the Australian said, “Stuart Broad I always found very challenging.”

“He’s always very accurate, always at my stumps consistently. In Ashes Tests, especially in England, he ripped the heart out of us.”

The all-rounder cited examples from different Test matches where Broad was at his lethal best.

“I can think of three times where the game was in the balance and he ripped the heart out of us; one in Durham (in 2013), I wasn’t playing, but Trent Bridge last year, and then at The Oval, my first Ashes series in 2009,” he said.

Watson also named former captain Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath as his best ever team-mates.

“No doubt Ricky Ponting (favourite team-mate). When he was at his peak he was incredible. And everything he did in and around the team as captain was very good.”

“Shane Warne, with the incredible skill that he had. His amazing belief in his skill and how he could turn a game consistently.”

“And what a great leader he was as well. I had him at Rajasthan for four years and he was incredible. Glenn McGrath was phenomenal with what he was able to achieve. What he was able to do as a fast bowler was … I’d be surprised if anyone gets near his record,” he concluded.

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