Shane Watson represented Australia over 300 times across three formats, racking up 14 centuries – inclusive of nine in one-day internationals. He also took 291 wickets. Photo / Photosport
Shane Watson represented Australia over 300 times across three formats, racking up 14 centuries – inclusive of nine in one-day internationals. He also took 291 wickets. Photo / Photosport
One of the greatest all-rounders in international cricket history will dust off his boots in the new year after being named as a shock selection in the 2026 Black Clash.
Despite already confirming Australian great Mike Hussey as their wildcard, Team Rugby have bent the rules to secure Shane Watsonon a technicality – that being he played rugby union growing up.
The 44-year-old right-hander represented Australia over 300 times across three formats, racking up 14 centuries – inclusive of nine in one-day internationals. He also took 291 wickets.
After his retirement from international cricket in 2016, Watson turned his attention to the limited overs format, with stints in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League.
“I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve only heard amazing things about the Black Clash,” Watson told the Herald.
Shane Watson scores a century for the Chennai Super Kings during the 2018 Indian Premier League final. Photo / Photosport
“It’s one of the premier sporting events in New Zealand. I’ve been looking forward to finding an opportunity to be able to play in it ... It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Watson said he played rugby through his teenage years while attending Ipswich Grammar School before opting for cricket, but always admired watching the All Blacks play.
“Whether you’re an Aussie, Wallabies fan or not, you just love watching the best players and the best teams doing their thing. So, to be able to get a chance to be able to play in an All Blacks-type team, being captained by Kieran Read ... you can’t say no to that opportunity.”
Asked about the prospect of taking Bay Oval in Tauranga on January 17 beside former teammate Hussey, Watson said it would be “great fun”.
“Mike Hussey is one of the great people of world cricket, and he’s the ultimate professional ... skills-wise he’ll be in the nets making sure that he’s ready to go so he’s going to add a lot of value to Team Rugby, not just as a bloke.”
Team Rugby will come up against a star-studded Team Cricket side featuring the likes of Jesse Ryder, Dan Vettori, Neil Wagner and Tim Southee.
“One of the guys I played a bit with actually during the IPL was Tim Southee. Before we played with each other, we did have a few sort of battles on the field as an opening bowler and opening batter ... I’m going to certainly have to be at my best because he’s still playing here and there as well, so he’s probably the one [I’m looking forward to facing],” Watson said.
He added it would also be interesting to see Vettori in a New Zealand strip after the former Black Cap took up a role as assistant coach of Australia.
Watson said his favourite moment playing against the Black Caps was Australia’s triumph in the 2015 Cricket World Cup in front of a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd – where he was standing at the non-striker’s end when Steve Smith hit the winning runs.
“To be able to do it in front of 90,000 people was something that was very special and unfortunately had to be against our neighbours, New Zealand, but that was ... the ultimate battle.”
Australian pair Steve Smith and Shane Watson celebrate after hitting the winning runs in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final against the Black Caps at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Photo / Photosport
‘Fine line between fearless and reckless’
Speaking on the opening Ashes test in Perth last week, Watson called it “chaos”.
Makeshift opener Travis Head smashed an explosive 69-ball century to power Australia to a second day victory against England.
Watson, who played in five Ashes series between 2005 and 2015, said he can’t see much changing for the day-night test in Brisbane.
“One of the things that you see with what Brendon McCullum had brought into English cricket, and obviously it’s the way he played as well and what made him really successful, is that fearless mindset.
“There is no question that what gets the best out of batters, bowlers, fielders, anyone, is when you’re fearless because you get out of your own way and then your skill that you’ve worked so hard to develop is just available.
“But there is a fine line between fearless and reckless, when it sort of goes too far and you start doing things that you don’t actually necessarily need to do right there and then, and that’s where you see at times the English cricketers go that little bit too far.
“They’re walking that tightrope every moment they’re out there.”
Confirmed players for 2026 Black Clash
TEAM CRICKET
Dan Vettori (captain), Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kyle Mills, Hamish Marshall, Nathan McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Lou Vincent.
