Watson 'hungrier than ever' to bring CPL glory for Zouks

St. Lucia Zouks-bound all-rounder Shane Watson says that he's determined to start the latest chapter in his career on a high as excitement for the Caribbean Premier League builds across the Caribbean and beyond.

The Australia star recently drew the curtains on an illustrious international career, distinguishing himself as one of the great all-round talents of the modern era. With the bat across all three formats the Queenslander scored 3,731 Test runs in 58 Test matches, 5,757 runs in 190 One-Day Internationals and 1,462 runs in 58 Twenty20 internationals. While with the ball, the fast-medium bowler claimed 75 Test wickets, 168 ODI victims and 48 T20 wickets.

In an exclusive interview with www.cplt20.com on the eve of his 35th birthday, Watson outlined his hopes and ambitions for the forthcoming campaign and shared a fascinating insight on the Zouks squad and how there's plenty of fight in the old dog yet.

"There's no doubt that this year's CPL is going to be fiercely competitive. There are world-class players playing in the tournament which immediately puts a jolt of excitement in you, even before a ball is bowled and I'm hungrier than ever to try and bring some success to the Zouks. I've heard a lot about the carnival atmosphere at CPL games and it will be a thrill to step out there on the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium," said Watson.

Watson, who departed the international arena with Australia following the recent ICC World T20 in India, joins a squad brimming with talent and promise. In addition to captain Darren Sammy, another local favourite in Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher - who all featured in West Indies' World T20 success - the squad includes a host of rising domestic talent as well as South African duo David Miller and Morne Morkel. And there's a familiar face in fellow Australian stalwart Mike Hussey, another CPL debutant, in the Zouks squad.

On being part of the CPL's historic move to the USA, the swashbuckling all-rounder said: "I think this is a great opportunity, not just for CPL but for the game of cricket internationally. It's huge, if I'm honest. Every single player I've spoken to about CPL is raving about being part of this new departure and if we can get a good level of support there this year, hopefully the popularity of the game will just grow and grow. It's a privilege to be a part of something new on the horizon."

On the influence of Michael Hussey, he said: "I'm excited to play with Mike again. Mike is quite simply one of the nicest and most genuine guys you could ever hope to meet and I'm fortunate to have played a lot with him for Australia and in the Big Bash League (BBL). I'm delighted that I'm going to be out in the trenches with him again and he will add a huge amount to the Zouks environment, especially with the younger players. He has so much enthusiasm for the game still, even at 41, and he has showed his class time and time again.