Cricket: Ponting heaps praise on Watson after Champions Trophy victory

Published on Tuesday 6 October 2009 10:01

RICKY PONTING hailed the performance of "the real Shane Watson" after he hit a second successive century to guide Australia to the Champions Trophy title with a six-wicket win over New Zealand.

The all-rounder, who blasted 100 against England in the semi-final last Friday, was named man-of-the-match at Centurion after his unbeaten 105 took the defending champions past the 201 target set by their trans-Tasman rivals.

It was not all plain sailing for Australia, though, after they were reduced to six for two in the third over of their chase following the early dismissals of Tim Paine and captain Ponting. After weathering an early storm, Watson and Cameron White (62) dug in with a 128-run stand that proved decisive and the skipper was thrilled the opener had produced his best when it mattered most.

"I think the last couple of months, we've started to really see the real Shane Watson," Ponting said.

"Getting his opportunity in the Ashes to open the batting, a position he is not really accustomed to, he played beautifully there.

"Now sort of back to his full fitness, he's showing everybody just how good a cricketer he can be. I thought it was terrific to come out and make 130-odd."

Ponting was especially pleased with the maturity shown by Watson and his partner White, who were batting in hostile conditions in the face of Shane Bond and Kyle Mills.

He continued: "You can't get a much harder situation than you did tonight. You're in a big game, you're in a final, you chasing a low score, you're two for six and you've got two relatively young guys at the crease.

"To see those guys stand up and get us across the line was very satisfying. It's always been one of our great strengths in the Australian team that if some of the bigger names don't stand up, then we'll generally find someone that will put their hand up and do it.

"Today it was Shane and Cameron White that did a great job for us."

The victory made the Australians the first side to win the title twice and also handed them a fourth win in the past five global 50-over tournaments.