Not the end of the road for Shane Watson
Australian coach Darren Lehmann insists that it is not the end of Shane Watson’s Test run despite him being replaced by Mitchell Marsh for the crucial Lord’s Test in the Ashes series.
Lehmann said that Watson had won a place in the side for Cardiff Test by a small margin, and after a poor performance with the bat and ball, the selectors believed that Marsh deserved a chance, having scored two centuries in the warm-up games.
"Obviously Shane has been a little bit disappointing with his runs and it's a tight call," Lehmann said before the play on Day one. "He's been an experienced player for us. Mitch Marsh has done everything we could ask for behind scenes and first two tour games he's in good form. Tight call first Test, we went with experience, this Test we've gone with Mitch Marsh. Tough call on Shane but I'm sure he's got plenty of cricket left in him."
Many assumed that this move was the end of Watson’s Test career, but Lehmann stated that the all-rounder could win his spot back in the squad in this series with a little extra effort. Lehmann recalled the World Cup episode this year, where Watson was replaced by Marsh midway the tournament before being reinstated.
"I think it's a case of him getting back and obviously got a county game next week he'll play in and try find some form back and keep putting his name in front of selectors. A chance very much like the World Cup where he got dropped and came back into side, so really form will dictate what Shane does," said Lehmann.
The Australian team have made two changes in their playing XI for the Lord’s Test after Mitchell Starc was declared fit. Peter Nevill made his Test debut as wicketkeeper as Brad Haddin is unavailable for the game. Nevill was presented his cap by Steve Waugh.
"Player 443 for us and gets his cap presented by Steve Waugh, one of the greats of the game. We wish him a great and long career," he added.
Watson’s spot in the Test squad may seem shaky at the moment, however, he remains a key player in the ODI and T20 format, which will keep him in the national squads for quite some time.