My mind and heart has been more in flood-hit Queensland than cricket, says Watson
January 17th, 2011 - 1:39 pm ICT by ANIMelbourne, Jan 17(ANI): Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that his thoughts have been on the Queensland floods rather than taking on England in the ongoing seven-match ODI series.
Watson’s comment comes after he scored a career-best 161 not out to help Australia win the opening ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
The all-rounder said that he would spend Monday and Tuesday in his hometown of Ipswich.
“It’s going to be heart-wrenching to see the devastation that’s there, but my mind and my heart has been there. It’s going to be nice to be able to get up there and feel like I can help out in some way,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Watson, as saying.
“I’ve organized a sausage sizzle down at Booval, which is one of the suburbs. It really does free your mind when you’re thinking about other things and it does put the game of cricket into perspective for what it really is,” he added.
The 29-year-old further said that none of his family members were affected in the natural disaster.
“My family was lucky enough not to be affected, but I know some of my friends who live close to the river, and also my primary school, the grounds close to it were all flooded,” Watson said.
Raging floodwaters have swamped thousands of homes and businesses in Queensland, leaving at least 25 people dead and over 100 missing since late November.
Rail lines and highways have been washed away in what is shaping up to become Australia’s costliest natural disaster. (ANI)
- Watson batted with the vigour needed to lift tense comrades: Roebuck - Jan 17, 2011
- Brisbane ODI win would be priceless for Queensland flood victims: Watson - Jan 29, 2011
- Melbourne ODI win against England is 'nice start' after Ashes defeat: Watson - Jan 16, 2011
- Pietersen driven to raise money after watching devastation of Queensland floods - Jan 15, 2011
- Tennis stars unite for 'Rally for Relief' for Oz flood victims - Jan 14, 2011
- Oz deputy PM says flood-ravaged Queensland will need over 2 yrs to recover - Jan 15, 2011
- 'Rally for Relief' raises two million dollars for Oz flood victims - Jan 16, 2011
- Flood crisis may be largest, costliest natural disaster in Oz history: Deputy PM - Jan 17, 2011
- Watson becomes No.1 all rounder in ODIs - Apr 15, 2011
- Watson could miss entire series against India - Dec 27, 2011
- Clarke likely to sit out of MCG ODI - Feb 29, 2012
- Cricket Australia donates $100,000 for flood relief - Jan 12, 2011
- Series defeat in India provides opportunity to young Oz cricketers to make grade - Oct 15, 2010
- Clarke hopes Watson gets fit by third ODI - Oct 25, 2011
- Watson doubtful; Christian and Cowan's chances now brighten (Lead) - Dec 20, 2011
Tags: close to the river, devastation, family members, flood, free your mind, heart, highways, hometown, late november, match, melbourne cricket ground, morning herald, natural disaster, odi series, perspective, queensland floods, rounder, sausage, shane watson, sydney morning herald