By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
Navi Mumbai, India (24 February, 2025) – Shane Watson’s explosive century went in vain as Lendl Simmons produced an equally breathtaking unbeaten 94 off 44 balls, guiding West Indies Masters to a commanding 7-wicket victory over Australia Masters in the second match of the inaugural International Masters League (IML) at the DY Patil Sports Stadium on Monday.
In a contest filled with nostalgia and high-octane action, Watson turned back the clock with a scintillating 52-ball 107, peppered with nine fours and as many sixes. His innings laid the foundation for Australia Masters’ imposing 216/8 after West Indies Masters, led by Brian Lara, and opted to bowl first.
Photo by; Faheem Hussain / Sportzpics for IML
Opening the innings alongside Ben Dunk (15 off 11), the 43-year-old Watson looked in imperious touch from the outset. He raced to his half-century in just 27 balls and needed only 21 more to bring up a brilliant century, anchoring the Australian innings despite wickets falling at the other end.
Watson stitched crucial partnerships—a 34-run stand with Dunk, followed by an 83-run second-wicket alliance with Callum Ferguson (13 off 15), and a rapid 54-run stand with Daniel Christian (32 off 15). He particularly dominated left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, hammering 21 runs in the 9th over alone. A dropped catch on 80 gave Watson a lifeline, but Ashley Nurse, the culprit, had the last laugh by dismissing him later. Nurse emerged as the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3/16, while Ravi Rampaul (2/23) and Jerome Taylor provided crucial breakthroughs. Chasing 217, West Indies Masters got off to a shaky start as Chris Gayle fell for 11 off 12 balls.
However, Dwayne Smith’s aggressive 29-ball 51, featuring 10 boundaries and a six, put the chase back on track. Simmons then took center stage, dismantling the Australian attack with audacious stroke play. He found an able partner in Lara, who played a vital 21-ball 33, helping the duo forge a game-changing 99-run third-wicket partnership. With 38 needed off the last three overs, Simmons and Chadwick Walton (23* off 11) accelerated, plundering 17 runs off Daniel Christian to bring the equation down before sealing the win with four balls to spare.
Brief Scores:Australia Masters: 216/8 (Shane Watson 107, Daniel Christian 32; Ashley Nurse 3/16, Ravi Rampaul 2/23)West Indies Masters: 217/3 (Lendl Simmons 94*, Dwayne Smith 51, Brian Lara 33, Chadwick Walton 23*)
Result: West Indies Masters won by 7 wickets.