Watson in MCG bouncer scare
Australia's preparations for the Boxing Day Test suffered two new scares today with Shane Watson and Mitchell Starc forced from the nets early after being struck at the MCG.
Left-armer Starc was struck on the left leg and hobbled away, struggling to put any weight on it.
Allrounder Watson was then hit on the helmet by a short-pitched ball from James Pattinson and was visibly shaken as he sat with his head in his hands, before moving inside.
Coach Darren Lehmann and new batsman Joe Burns check on Mitchell Starc's welfare. Pic: Getty Images
A Cricket Australia spokesman later said that while Watson was dazed he would be okay to face India in the third Test, and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin confirmed he was fine.
"I had a chat to him - he's a bit shaken, but he's ok," Haddin said.
"It's just getting hit in the head - he's just a bit shaken," he said. "He's shaken as anyone would be. I can't really go into any more details because there's no more details to give."
Starc is also expected to be fit to play.
WA's Mitch Marsh was ruled out of the Test with a hamstring injury, doubts surround dynamic opener David Warner, who hasn't batted at training because of a thumb injury, while quick Ryan Harris is working his way back from a quad problem.
The blow to Watson comes at a sensitive time for cricket, with Australia players and staff still coming to terms with the death of teammate Phillip Hughes, who was struck by a bouncer playing for South Australia last month.
A groggy-looking Watson walks from the nets. Pic: Getty Images
