ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Why Shane Watson's loss could be Sydney Thunder's gain

By Chris Barrett and Andrew Wu
Updated March 6 2015 - 11:13pm, first published 6:30pm

In their short history Sydney Thunder have not had a great deal to crow about, collecting three wooden spoons in four seasons. But the improving Big Bash League franchise could be on the verge of making the shrewdest signing in the competition's history. They were interested in Shane Watson before this week, as reported in Fairfax Media, but his World Cup axing means his currency in the BBL could be significantly enhanced. Talks between the Thunder and Watson are at an advanced stage but there are at least two other franchises keen on him. Should he remain on the outer with Australia's one-day team, or even the Test line-up, his availability for the Twenty20 competition will be far greater than in previous years. Watson has been on the books of two Australian teams – the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat – but played just one BBL game, though he did line up three times for the Sixers in their 2012 Champions League campaign. He's been out of the runs but his Twenty20 credentials cannot be faulted – he was the player of the tournament in the World T20 three years ago. A move to the Thunder would make sense; Watson lives in Sydney and the team is coached by Paddy Upton, the South African at the helm of his Indian Premier League club, the Rajasthan Royals. While we're on the subject of the Thunder, they've also been in negotiations during the summer about where they will play in the future, We understand they've all but decided they will leave ANZ Stadium, making the nearby and boutique Spotless Stadium their permanent home ground for the next five years.

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