{
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    "title": "Shane Watson signs for Sydney Thunder in Big Bash League",
    "lang": "en",
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    "cup_year": "2015",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "Australian Twenty20 side Sydney Thunder has unveiled allrounder Shane Watson as their latest signing for next",
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    "editor1": "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">Sydney, May 22 (IANS) Australian Twenty20 side Sydney Thunder has unveiled allrounder Shane Watson as their latest signing for next season&#39;s Big Bash League (BBL) domestic competition.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">Watson has signed a three-year deal with the BBL franchise, and is likely to succeed left-hand bat Mike Hussey at the top of the Thunder&rsquo;s batting line-up and take on a leadership role in future seasons.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">Watson,33, who is currently ranked the fourth best Twenty20 allrounder in the world, joins the Thunder after playing with the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat reported cricket.com.au on Friday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">Expressing his happiness, the allrounder tweeted, &quot;Thrilled to be joining the Sydney Thunder family. Exciting times ahead&nbsp;ThunderNation,&rdquo; on Friday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">Watson was in fine form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last weekend, scoring an unbeaten century for Rajasthan Royals. He finished the 2015 IPL season averaging 43.47 with a strike rate of 135.01, also picking up six wickets. Royals exited the tournament after being beaten by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator match.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">Sydney Thunder general manager Nick Cummins said Watson would further strengthen the club&rsquo;s batting and bowling in BBL edition 5.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">&quot;Shane is one of the best T20 players in the world,&quot; said Cummins on the Sydney Thunder&#39;s website.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">&quot;He&#39;s a proven performer, and has plenty of big game experience that will be invaluable in the Big Bash.&quot;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">With Watson currently representing Australia in all three formats, Cummins said his signing was a long term investment, saying his contract had been structured to reflect his availability.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">&quot;We understand he is still very much a part of Australia&#39;s plans going forward, and as such we&#39;ve contracted him in a way that will work for both the club and Shane,&quot; he said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:16px;\"><span style=\"font-family:verdana,geneva,sans-serif;\">&quot;Shane&#39;s signing is not just about BBL 2015, but has been made with a longer term view in mind<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n",
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    "alt_img": "Shane Watson",
    "alt_title": "Shane Watson Sydney Thunder ",
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    "created": "2015-05-22 12:40:00",
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