Shane Watson confirms retirement from professional cricket: "I feel crazily lucky to have lived out my dream"

The former Australia international brings the curtain down on his 20-year professional career after Chennai Super Kings' final IPL match

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Shane Watson has confirmed his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 39.

The former Australia international confirmed the decision following Chennai Super Kings' final Indian Premier League match.

Watson scored 14 as CSK beat Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in Dubai.

During 20 years at the top of the sport, the allrounder played 59 Tests, 190 one-day internationals and 58 T20s for Australia.

In 2013-14 he was a member of the Australia team which whitewashed England in the Ashes.

Furthermore, Watson contributed to two 50-over World Cup wins in 2007 and on home soil in 2015, as well as two Champions Trophy successes.

Already a regular in T20 domestic and franchise cricket come his international retirement in 2016, he dominated the scene during the latter stages of his career.

He won the IPL twice with Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and the Super Kings in 2018, and also had a spell with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Watson then appeared in the Twenty20 Cup with Hampshire, Big Bash League at Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder, for Pakistan Super League duo Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators and in the Caribbean Premier League with St Lucia Stars.

Last year saw Watson appointed president of the Australia Cricketers' Association.

"I feel crazily lucky to have lived out my dream and then some," he said in a video statement.

"It really does feel like the right time now that I've played my last game of cricket ever for my beloved CSK.

"I'm eternally grateful for everyone's love and support during this phase of my life and now onto the next very exciting chapter that awaits."