As he accepted the ball from his captain, Shane Watson copped something else from the MCG crowd. The Australian all-rounder was booed as he prepared to bowl his first over in the final.
“Here’s Shane Watson into the attack for Australia with an interesting ovation I think it’s fair to say,” Fox Sports commentator Ian Smith remarked.
Watson was dropped for Australia’s match against Afghanistan in a move towards strengthening the batting and bowling line-ups in response to some poor performances by the Aussie veteran.
Many took to social media in support of the change, commenting that it should have come a long time ago.
Watson copped a second round of ‘boos’ in his second spell. The crowd struggling to warm to Watson who went for 12 runs in his opening 2 overs.
Captain Michael Clarke was seeking the vital 4th wicket when Watson was given the ball. Grant Elliot and Ross Taylor had rejuvenated New Zealand hopes with a 95-run 5th wicket partnership in the first innings of the final.
