Teammates pay tribute to Watson's career

Shane Watson's Test teammates have paid tribute to the retiring allrounder's colourful and tumultuous career.

Watson pulled the pin on his Test career on Sunday, after another injury setback cut short his ODI tour in the UK.

An emotional Watson was given a rousing round of applause from the team as many expressed how important he had been to their careers.

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He finished his career with four centuries, 24 half-centuries and 3731 runs, as well as 75 wickets at an average of 33, from his 59 Tests and, above all else, the respect of his teammates.

Following his announcement, Watson’s teammates and the cricket community paid tribute to the allrounder.

"It has been a pleasure to play alongside Shane and he has been a huge influence on my career and the team as a whole," newly-appointed captain Steve Smith said.

"59 Test matches for Australia is an incredible achievement and he can be extremely proud of everything he has done in the game in the longest format.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to play alongside him in one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals."

Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann praised Watson's tireless work ethic and said it set the perfect example for Australia's next generation.

"He has been an outstanding contributor to the team on and off the field and a great thinker on the game as well as a hugely talented cricketer," Lehmann said.

"Behind the scenes he has done so much work with our younger players and that has been something that has really impressed me."

Last week, the man who replaced Watson in the Test team during the Ashes series expressed his thanks to the veteran for how smoothly the transition had been made.

Mitch Marsh took on the allrounder role for the second Test at Lord's.

Despite taking Watson's spot, which ultimately fast-tracked the veteran's decision to hang up the boots, Marsh insisted the 34-year-old had only been supportive.

"Watto has been unbelievable," Marsh said after Australia's victory in the one-day series opener in Southampton on Thursday.

"It was obviously a tough decision for the selectors to make after the first Test, but his attitude towards the whole team has been unbelievable, even more so for me.

"It's never easy (when you replace a teammate) and it's always a bit awkward at the start but he's been great, really approachable from my end as a youngster going up to him. he's like that with everyone."