Australia have decided that time away from cricket is the best way for Shane Watson to break his trend of falling lbw this Ashes series.
Watson, Chris Rogers and Peter Siddle are injury-free but will remain in London to refresh, after being given a leave pass from Friday’s tour match against Sussex in Brighton.
Australia haven’t officially named their side for the three-day game, but there are only 11 players who will be made available to play. James Pattinson has been ruled out of the rest of the series with stress fractures, Ashton Agar is recovering from a minor hip strain and Ryan Harris will also be rested after bowling at Lord’s.
David Warner is unavailable due to his commitments with Australia A in Africa. All players, with the exception of Pattinson, are available for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford starting on August 1.
At this stage there are no plans for extra squad members to be added. Matthew Wade will get his chance to push for selection as a specialist batsmen, playing at No.6 with keeper Brad Haddin at 7.
Ed Cowan will return to the top order, while fast bowlers James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird will bowl off for the place in the attack vacated by Pattinson.
Nathan Lyon will play as the spinner, and after an underwhelming performance by young Agar at Lord’s, Lyon can force his way back with a big haul.
Watson has been dismissed three consecutive times from four starts this series, lbw. He has been out leg before at a higher percentage to any batsman who has ever played more than 70 innings.
England have deliberately targeted his weakness and will continue to pepper his pads.
Watson has started well in each of his innings, but as he has done for all of his career, has found a way to throw away his wicket. He will get a chance to rest up his battle-weary and injury prone body.
The hope is time away will help clear Watson’s mind.
Australian team to play Sussex: Ed Cowan, Usman Khawaja, Phil Hughes, Michael Clarke (capt), Steve Smith, Matt Wade, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird
