Watson's visit wows youngsters

PROUD Ipswich cricketer Shane Watson is a hard man to pin down these days with all his Australian team and overseas commitments.

Preparing for another Ashes campaign makes him even busier.

However, Watson has never forgotten where he learnt his craft – at Len Johnson Oval.

Watson, 29, made a surprise visit to the oval last Sunday morning, delighting Ipswich’s next generation of cricketers.

After showing his wife Lee around Ipswich on Saturday and dropping into the oval, Watson made an unexpected return on Sunday morning to encourage the kids.

He spent a session with the Ipswich schoolboys under-11 and under-12 teams training for their northern tour in the school holidays.

“It went down real big,” Ipswich cricket stalwart Les Kinnane said.

“All the kids knew him.”

Len Johnson Oval is where the classy allrounder started his cricket career – as an eight-year-old. Watson still refers to his former coaches as “Mr Bulow, Mr Sherwood”, etc.

The international player enjoyed chatting to the youngsters.

“The main message was to really enjoy what they’re doing and grab opportunities when they arrive,” Kinnane said.

Sunday’s visit wasn’t the first time Watson had quietly snuck home to encourage Ipswich kids.

However, it was timely given another season of Ipswich schoolboys cricket coaching clinics start on October 9. Inquiries with Kinnane on 3281 5623 or 0412 452 046.