Is WACA axe the end for Watto?
UPDATE: Shane Watson has been dropped and his involvement in the rest of the World Cup in doubt as Australia made several changes for the game against Afghanistan at the WACA Ground.
Watson, who was part of Australia’s winning World Cup team in 2007, did not warm up with his team-mates at the WACA today.
He cut a desolate figure as he collected balls for the other Australian players.
Captain Michael Clarke did not provide any explanation for Watson’s omission when he lost the toss, saying only that James Faulkner had come in for the No.3.
Josh Hazlewood replaced injured quick Pat Cummins.
Watson, who averages 50.89 from 17 World Cup matches, scored a duck and 23 in his two outings this tournament.
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."
Watson is no guarantee to return for either of those matches - or the knockout stage.
"He might have to rely on someone else's lack of form or an injury to get back in," Marsh said.
"But it's a good situation to be in when you've got both Watson and George Bailey out of the side - two extremely well-credentialed one-day players.
"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."
Former Australian captain Kim Hughes predicted in The West Australian today that the game could be Watson’s last opportunity to hold his place unless he got a substantial score.
That chance may now have vanished.
Teams
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (capt),Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Mitch Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
Afghanistan: Javed Ahmadi, Usman, Ghani Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Afsar Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran
- with AAP
