5 instances when out-of-form players turned the tides in a final

#3 Shane Watson, 2-11 and 57* vs West Indies, ICC Champions Trophy 2006 Final

Watson was the Man of the Final for his

all-round

performance

This tournament took place in an era which was largely dominated by Australia. If there was something left to be won by them, it was this - a Champions Trophy title that had been eluding them since quite a long time. Entering into the tournaments as World Champions, Australia were the favourites to lift the silverware.

Australia entered into the finals with a rampant all-round display. They were up against defending champions West Indies in the final and had lost a match to them in the group stage. With Chris Gayle being in red-hot form, and Jerome Taylor being the joint-highest wicket-taker, the final was not going to be easy for the Kangaroos.

Someone who could be singled out from the dominant Aussie line-up on the basis of current form was Shane Watson.

71 runs including two ducks and six wickets in four matches, these figures did not do justice to Watson's all-round abilities. Expectations from him were high ahead of the big final.

Watto stepped up just on the right occasion. He picked up the scalps of Marlon Samuels and Carlton Bough, preventing any onslaught towards the end. It was a lacklustre performance by the Caribbeans as they managed to put a mere 138 on the board.

Australia had to make 116 runs from 35 overs under revised conditions. The early dismissals of Adam Gilchrist and captain Ricky Ponting did send some nerves in the dressing room, but Shane Watson came to the party once again, this time with the bat. He scored a steady 57*, handing Australia their first Champions Trophy title.

Watson was rightly awarded the Man of the Match for his all-round performance, as Australia became the first country to hold both the ICC Titles at the same time.