Shane Robert Watson

Profile:

Stress fractures in his back at the ages of 12, 14 and 16 restricted Shane Watson's development as a bowler but have done little to impede his rapid emergence as one of Australia's most exciting all-rounders in decades.

Originally from Queensland, Watson accepted an offer to move to Tasmania in late 2000 as part of a recruiting coup that enabled the Tigers to blood him as a first-class cricketer at the tender age of 19. He has rarely had cause to look back. His maiden first-class century (a superb innings of 105 against South Australia in Hobart) arrived in just his fifth first-class match and a string of successes have marked his progress thereafter. Most notable were his distinguished performance in a one-day match for Australia 'A' against New Zealand in early 2002; an 11-wicket haul against his former state; and selection in Australia's 15-man Test squad to tour South Africa in February 2002.

A fluent and stylish top order batsman with a full range of shots, a tearaway pace bowler and a brilliant close-in fieldsman on either side of the wicket, Watson's talent was also evident in earlier years in his appearances for a vast array of state and national underage sides. He was a part of Queensland's under-17 team at the age of 15 and then won selection in Brisbane first grade cricket, as well as both a national under-17 development squad and the state's under-19 side, the following year. He remained a member of the state's under-19 team for another two years, ultimately becoming its captain in 1999-2000, when it shared the national title with Victoria in Perth.