Watson calls time on BBL

The Big Bash League has lost one of its biggest stars with Sydney Thunder captain Shane Watson’s retirement from the Twenty20 competition.

Watson, who’s still playing in the Indian Premier League and is one of the most sought after guns for hire on the T20 circuit, has confirmed he won’t return for a fifth BBL campaign with the Thunder.

The allrounder, having recently smacked 96 for Chennai Super Kings and one of two players to smash a century during the previous BBL season, is keen to spend more time with his young family.

The 37-year-old will continue to play grade cricket in Sydney plus other T20 tournaments around the world.

Watson’s decision comes as Cricket Australia (CA), BBL clubs and Australian broadcasters mull how to improve Australia’s domestic T20 league after a range of issues had surfaced during the past summer.

The length of the BBL season and size of its salary cap mean international stars can be paid more money for less work at other T20 competitions.

The Thunder and other clubs have started talks with South African legend AB de Villiers, who had snubbed the previous edition of the BBL to play in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 competition.

Some clubs feel that meeting de Villiers’ asking price will be tricky under current arrangements.

The West Australian has reported the Perth Scorchers are negotiating with South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis.

The fact that Australia will host the T20 World Cup in 2020 might prompt more internationals to sign up for the next BBL season.

Watson was arguably the highest-profile Australian player available for the entire 2018-19 BBL season, with Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell missing games because of national duty.