Shane Watson, the 2025 Champions Trophy ambassador and former all-rounder for Australia, talked about his experience playing in the competition and the experiences he made with the Australian team in various editirons, particularly 2006 and 2009, when Australia won both. As stated to ICC:
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is about to get serious after all of the incredible cricket we have witnessed, including the thrilling run-chases, soaring catches, and priceless wickets.
Although there has been some outstanding cricket throughout the group stages, the knockout phases are what matter most, and this week’s matchups are likely to be fantastic.
Although we are unsure of what will transpire on the field, we are certain that Pakistan, the hosts, will be prepared.
When I was an international player, I did not represent my nation in Pakistan, but I spent one of the most unforgettable weeks of my life here in 2019.
To be very honest, the support we received while playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL was tremendous. Seeing world-class players live is big because Pakistan has been so devoid of elite cricket for so long.
I was enmeshed in cricket’s fervor and happiness, which permeates the entire nation. Regardless of the state of their own nation, it has done so once more in the past few weeks.
In my more than two decades of playing and coaching cricket, I have had the good fortune to travel the world, play for some incredible teams, and accomplish a lot of success.
A significant portion of that may be traced back to the ICC Champions Trophy.
Many of my most significant moments, from making my debut for Australia in 2002 to winning it in 2006 and 2009, have revolved around this event.
Perhaps the most significant event in my career was that victory in 2006.
Like all athletes, I was always confident, but it wasn’t until 2006 that I truly realized I had what it took to represent my nation and help them win. That’s a different kind of confidence.
The squad was really powerful when I first started, so I was simply trying to help out here and there. The list is endless and includes Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Ricky Ponting, and Glenn McGrath. The majority of those players were still there in 2006, and I confirmed my place by playing well for that squad, starting the batting with Adam Gilchrist, and hitting an undefeated 57 in the championship game.
The chance to bat alongside Adam and bowl the overs I did was tremendous, and it marked the beginning of my peak performance as a fast-bowling all-rounder.
Those players intimidated me at the Champions Trophy, which was my debut event in 2002.
I was intimidated by their brilliance since I was brought into an all-time great squad at the pinnacle of their abilities, and many of them were among the best players to have ever played the game. I was aware that I still had a long way to go before I felt I could meet their needs and be there for my team, rather than simply making a small contribution. That year was 2006.
We had a completely different Australia side in 2009. Although Ricky Ponting will remain our captain, we were undergoing a change and had a significant player turnover. I am aware that Ricky views that triumph as one of his greatest leadership triumphs.
My contribution to it in both the semifinal and final makes it stick out to me.
Neither the team nor I got off to a strong start. We barely won a handful of games, but in the semi-final matchup with England, everything clicked for us.
Ricky and I simply destroyed them after they put us up 258 to win. I batted with one of my childhood heroes and scored 136 not out, making it one of my favorite innings not only because of my performance but also because of the occasion. Ricky was an excellent leader who supported me from the time I was 19 years old.
We played New Zealand in the final, and I had this incredible moment where I smashed a six to win the tournament and reach my century. These are the times you envision.
From those days, I have a few very good prizes. The watch I received for winning man-of-the-match in the championship game, however, is my particular favorite and one of the most treasured items in my home.
It reminds me of so many wonderful times. That watch is incredible; it’s probably one of my two most treasured items. I also have a painting of the 2015 World Cup celebrations, with Steve Smith and I in the center after we hit the winning runs.
The past two weeks have served as a reminder of how unique this event is, and I hope that those who have participated in it will remember it with the same sense of nostalgia that I do.
India
