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Will this be Watto’s swansong?

Shane Watson will wait until the end of this month’s Twenty20 World Cup before deciding whether the tournament is his international swansong.

Mar 09, 2016, updated Mar 09, 2016
Shane Watson watches his shot during the second T20 against South Africa. Photo: Themba Hadebe, AP.

Shane Watson watches his shot during the second T20 against South Africa. Photo: Themba Hadebe, AP.

Watson retired from Test cricket last year after Australia handed the Ashes urn back to England.

The 34-year-old isn’t currently contemplating the end of an international career that started in 2002.

But Watson says he will give the issue some thought following Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, which starts on March 18 in India.

“There’s no doubt I’ll have a bit of time to think about it after the T20 World Cup,” Watson said.

“I’ll sort of have more time to just really process everything that has happened… I’ll reassess from there but at the moment I’m just loving being part of it – I know how incredibly lucky I am.”

Whenever it does come, Watson could hardly be better prepared for the next phase of his life.

The allrounder is likely to be a regular on the T20 franchise circuit for a while longer, having attracted a bid of $2 million at last month’s Indian Premier League auction.

“I’m still just living the dream with the cricket that I’m able to play and the teams I’m able to play in. I’m not sure where that’s going to take me in the short term,” Watson said.

Watson has also already turned his mind to a coaching career.

Young allrounders Mitch Marsh and James Faulkner have both spoken glowingly about Watson’s mentorship in the past.

Watson, who has featured in all five previous T20 World Cups and boasts a stack of IPL experience, has been giving teammates plenty of advice about the upcoming challenges in India.

“I do love coaching,” he said.

“I’d love to be able to coach in the future. I’m not sure what capacity exactly.

“Being an allrounder I know I’m very fortunate to have worked on a couple of aspects of game and I enjoy giving back.”

Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, who picked Watson’s brain while working on his strokes in Durban last week, was full of praise for his teammate.

“His advice was excellent… having guys like Shane Watson around, that’s a great resource,” Nevill said.

Watson played as a batsman in the recent Johannesburg epic but is now fully fit and ready to bowl in Cape Town, where Australia’s T20 series decider against South Africa starts at 2.30am ACDT on Thursday.

“It’s just about getting confidence in my little niggle I had during the Pakistan Super League,” Watson said.

“It should be fine. The progression over the last week has been really good.”

Watson added he is unsure where he sits in the battle for spots in the top order and doesn’t expect to be batting in the middle order.

-AAP

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