Justin Watson

Justin Watson is a strapping, fast-bowling all-rounder from Johannesburg in South Africa. A right-arm Fast seamer that bowls a heavy ball, Justin is also a brutal middle order Batsman with a long range, bat in hand.

Schooled at St Stithians College, he has been a regular in provincial age-group squads since U13 level and was the 2nd highest wicket-taker in the 2015-16 CSA Schools challenge, with 11 wickets @ 9.90, bettered by only his new ball partner, Wiaan Mulder, who has since gone on to represent South Africa. Justin was one of University of Johannesburg’s best performed players in summer 2017-18 with his raw pace and clean hitting as one of their most destructive batsmen, he continued to press his claims for higher honours at provincial level, without success to date.

Not to be deterred, Justin sought to utilise his UK passport and ventured to England in summer 2018 to link up with Shaw CC in the Greater Manchester Cricket League and he failed to disappoint. 656 runs @ 65.60 with a best of 206 (111) against a deshevelled Werneth bowling attack which included 11 x 4’s and an incredible 20 x 6’s. This achievement to go with 39 wickets @ 18.51 in just 21 games before a dramatic off-field incident brought his summer to a sharp halt, showed us glimpses of just how good this young man can be with the right harnessing of his talents.

During the 2018 season, Justin spent some time with Lancashire 2nd XI but limited opportunites hindered any progress to show his talent at that level. He returned to the UK in summer 2019, joining Kent CCC for their pre-season having signed for St Lawrence & Highland Court CC for their Kent Division One campaign. For SLHCC, Justin scored 630 runs @ 33.16 at better than a run a ball and 30 wickets @ 24.70. For Kent CCC, playing in their 2nd XI throughout the summer, Justin collected 26 wickets @ 24.03 across all formats including 17 in the 2nd XI championship @ 20.76 with a best of 5-60 vs Essex 2nd XI. Batting opportunities were limited but he scored 98 runs @ 24.50 with a best of 30 (18) against Glamorgan 2nd XI.

In summer 2021, Justin spent a lot of time with Northamptonshire CCC in the build up to the season and featured for the County on a number of occasions in their 2nd XI before linking with Desborough Town CC in the ECB Northamptonshire Premier League for the summer of league cricket. He returned in 2022, joining ECB Derbyshire Premier League powerhouses, Spondon CC.

Justin linked with Derbyshire 2nd XI during the summer and was their standout T20 bowler, bagging 14 wickets @ 10.78 with a best of 4-19 against Lancashire.

He returned to Spondon CC in 2023, scoring 697 runs, saving his best performance of the summer for last with 102 (50) in a final day demolition of Ockbrook & Borrowash CC, made all the more impressive having arrived to the crease at 21-4.

Seeking a swift return to the UK next summer, Justin will be a serious option for any club seeking a new ball bowler with the ability to have a game-changing effect in the middle order.