Could Shane Watson's Calf Injury Cost Him Place in Australia Test XI Long-Term?
Sitting on the sidelines through injury can typically go one of two ways for a Test cricketer. For some, their absence heightens the sense of their true worth, seeing them raced back into the side once healthy. For others, their layoff affords an opportunity to another, jeopardising their place in the team as a new star emerges.
As Australia prepare to tackle Pakistan in the UAE without him, Shane Watson seems precariously placed between such outcomes.
Hampered by a calf injury, the all-rounder has been ruled out of his of country's trip to the Middle East, per Brydon Coverdale of ESPN Cricinfo, vacating his place in the side for the 22-year-old version of himself, the vastly talented Mitchell Marsh.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
It's true that Watson, when fit, is the experienced candidate better suited to Test cricket at this stage, but amid consistent battles with his own body—and Marsh's rocketing trajectory—the 33-year-old suddenly faces a stern challenge for Australia's all-rounder throne.
"If Watto's batting and bowling he's a huge part of our team, but he's obviously got some stiff competition now," Michael Clarke said on Thursday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I've loved having Watto as part of the team. He's destructive with the bat and his bowling is extremely accurate. Watto's greatest challenge has been trying to stay fit and healthy," the Australian captain went on to add.
He's not wrong.
Watson missed Australia's involvement in the triangular series in Zimbabwe earlier this month with an ankle problem after stepping on a ball during a training session in Brisbane. The all-rounder also missed a good chunk of his team's triumphant tour of South Africa in February and March with another calf complaint.
He'd enjoyed a good run prior to that, competing in all 10 Ashes Tests between July and January, but Watson has always needed continuity to shine—something he's been without for some time.
And one gets the sense he understands the predicament he faces in competing with Marsh, indicating that it wasn't exactly his decision to miss the tour of the UAE.
"I'm naturally disappointed because I was desperate to play against Pakistan which is our opportunity to get back to No. 1 in Test and one-day international cricket," Watson said of his situation, according to Coverdale's report. "Despite my strong desire to be on the tour, I understand why the selectors have made this decision."
Marsh now seems certain to make his Test debut against Pakistan in October, marking the latest step in his surging career.
A stunning 211 for Australia A against India A in July propelled him into consideration, with his pair of one-day international 80s in Zimbabwe cementing his new status.
Of course, the youngster's batting still needs work in the longer formats, given he's averaging less than 30 in first-class cricket. But on an upward trend, and possessing a fine record with the ball, Australia's selectors have clearly identified Marsh as the team's long-term all-rounder, just as they did with Watson a decade ago.
"He's a package, an all-round package and it's really pleasing to see we've got a few of them around at the moment," the national selector Rod Marsh said of his namesake, per Brydon Coverdale of ESPN Cricinfo. "Every team needs an all-rounder and we've got two or three now that are looking pretty good."
The problem for Watson is that Australia would only ever be likely to play both men in the same XI on the subcontinent in order to select two spinners. But after the tour of the UAE has been completed, such an opportunity won't arise immediately, with the home series against India followed by the World Cup and tours of the West Indies and England.
Perhaps for the first time in his career, Watson has some direct competition in the form of another true all-rounder. It could prove to be a difficult situation for the veteran.
Watson has never really nailed it, despite his immense ability. He's a player who's flirted with dominance but never really achieved it. Not in the Test arena, anyway. For long spells, his selection to the team has been based on his talent in both disciplines, his ability to balance Australia's side, even when out of form.
When returning from previous injuries, he's also rarely had a competitor standing in his way.
He does now.
"It's a great thing because if there are more options for the selectors to pick from it means that people are continuing to go into every game knowing that they've got to push themselves to the limit to be able to perform for the team," Watson told News Ltd, as relayed by ESPN Cricinfo.
"Otherwise they [the selectors] will be looking at another option," he added.
Suddenly, Marsh is that alternative. And should the precocious Western Australian shine against Pakistan in the UAE, Watson could be battling to regain his place in the side as much as he's currently battling with his body.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
