Shane Watson has called time on his Big Bash career with Sydney Thunder, ending his professional career in Australia to spend more time with his family.
Husband to Lee and father to William and Matilda, the evergreen Watson turns 38 in June.
He is currently featuring for reigning champions Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, and has scored 243 runs from 11 innings - including a last-start 96 against David Warner's Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Watson will, however, continue to play for Sutherland in NSW Premier Cricket, and may also play select overseas tournaments that don't clash with the the summer break.
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Watson finishes his career as the Thunder’s all-time leading run-scorer, having scored 1014 runs. He also brought up his one and only BBL century against former team Brisbane Heat at The Gabba last season.
The Thunder were cellar-dwellers until they broke through to win the title in 2016. Watson scored 235 runs and took nine wickets in that campaign.
Few cricketers boast a Twenty20 resume better than Watson. Only 14 players have featured in more matches than Watson's 310.
Only three Australian players (David Warner, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell) have scored more runs in T20Is for Australia, and Watson is still Australia's most prolific wicket-taker in the international format.
The one-time Test captain is also the eighth-highest run-scorer in the shortest format's history. The only other Australian to have scored more runs in T20s is Warner.
Thanks for everything you've given the #ThunderNation, @ShaneRWatson33. We wish you and your family all the best for your next chapter 💚 https://t.co/rjytL49LOr
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) April 26, 2019
Watson featured in 307 matches across all formats for Australia, and was involved in several key moments for his country.
Notably, Watson was a part of the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, and was at the crease when Australia sealed its World Cup at the MCG in 2015.
He debuted for Australia in 2002 in a ODI against South Africa, and retired in 2016 still ranked as the world's top T20I all-rounder.
Watson is a three-time Australian ODI Player of the Year, three-time Australian Twenty20 Player of the Year, one-time Australian Test Player of the Year and, most notably, two-time Allan Border Medal winner.
"I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who has been involved with the Sydney Thunder over the last four seasons," Watson said.
"I have so many amazing memories that I will savour forever with the one standout being our win in 2016.
"I want to especially thank Nick Cummins, Paddy Upton, Lee Germon and Shane Bond who made my experience with the club so enjoyable.
"I will most definitely miss support that the club gets from the Thunder Nation. Their unwavering support through the ups and downs inspires everyone and I will cherish that support deeply.
"Finally, to my team mates, I have played with so many great people and cricketers at the club and I sincerely wish everyone the absolute best for the upcoming seasons."
