Share

Cloud hangs over Watson

Perth - Allrounder Shane Watson might have played his last one-day international for Australia after he was axed from the side that beat Afghanistan by a record 275 runs in the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday.

Watson, 33, has been an automatic selection by Australia, but struggled in the first two matches against England (duck and 0-13) and New Zealand (23 and didn't bowl).

Watson has only one half century in seven games this year, and has paid for the team's strength in depth at his third World Cup.

Australia picked allrounder James Faulkner instead at the WACA ground, and retained fledgling allrounder Mitchell Marsh alongside him.

"Watto handled the decision well," skipper Michael Clarke said. "He has been fantastic around the team today. He's taken it really well."

When asked about Watson's future, Clarke said: "It is up to the selectors to make that decision."

Australian chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said dropping Watson was a tough call.

"But it's one we thought we had to make, because in Shane's last 10 one-day games, he's got 220 runs at an average of 22," Marsh said.

"Unfortunately he's been getting starts, but he hasn't been going on with it.

"We had to fit James in, and someone had to go.

"He might have to rely on someone else's lack of form or an injury to get back in.

"Spots are tough to get in the Australian team at the moment, and that's the way we like it.

"If hard decisions have to be made, we have to make them."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 471 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 675 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.92
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.42
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE