Sydney, Nov 17(ANI): Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes all rounder Shane Watson has the capability to become the world’s premier all-rounder in the coming years.

Ponting said that with England’s Andrew Flintoff retiring from the international scene and South African Jacques Kallis’ career almost coming towards its end, Watson has the chance to press his claims to be considered as the No. 1 all-rounder.

“I have always seen that he has the ability to do that. He’s had his fair share of blokes that have knocked him along the way and they have knocked me and the selectors for keeping on picking him. But, he’s starting to show now what he’s capable of, he has a great opportunity that he can become that considering a lot of the other guys are coming towards the end,” The Age quoted Ponting, as saying.

“If you look at the outstanding all-rounders around the world- Flintoff is finished, Kallis does not have far to go, Bravo (West Indian Dwayne) is thereabouts, but he is a bit up and down. There are not many of them around,” he added.

Ponting also said the 28-year-old can have a massive impact on world cricket.

“I think with the way his game is shaping up, he can have a massive impact on world cricket,” he said.

“So for him, things are right on track for his cricket at the moment,” he added.

Most of Watson’s international cricketing highs have come on foreign soil, and his numbers in Australia look particularly feeble in comparison, something he is keen to rectify during this summer’s tournament against West Indies and Pakistan.

While his Test career is very much in its infancy, his ODI batting average at home is 31.09 compared to 42.97 when he is away.

He has collected 25 wickets at 32.52 in Australia and 74 wickets at 27.77 overseas. (ANI)