Injuries mount for T20 World Cup as Watson jets home
Shane Watson has headed home for further assessment on an abdominal strain in the latest injury blow to Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup plans.
Shane Watson was in sensational form in last month's T20 against India. Photo: Paul Miller, AAP.
Watson has been ruled out of the rest of the Pakistan Super League after hurting himself while bowling for Islamabad United.
The 34-year-old posted a video on the club’s Twitter account, confirming he would miss the rest of the T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
.@ShaneRWatson33 message for his fans expressing desire to be reunited with his team soon! #ISLU #ThankYouWatto https://t.co/07NCvjGfTt
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) February 13, 2016
Very disappointed to be leaving @IsbUnited before the end of the tournament. Had an awesome time & really hope I will be back next season.
— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) February 14, 2016
“I’ve unfortunately made this video because I injured myself last night bowling, so disappointingly I’m going to have to head home,” Watson said.
“To get assessed with the medical people at Cricket Australia, to try and get right for the Twenty20 World Cup.”
Selectors were already sweating on the fitness of allrounder James Faulkner, former T20 captain Aaron Finch and paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile in the lead-up to the event, which Australia have never won.
Faulkner and Finch both have hamstring injuries, while Coulter-Nile is on the mend from a dislocated shoulder.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, both part of Australia’s triumphant ODI World Cup squad in 2015, weren’t considered because of injuries.
Watson, who was sold for $2 million in the recent Indian Premier League action, is among the nation’s best T20 players.
The allrounder scored an unbeaten 124 in a Twenty20 international against India at the SCG last month, while he was named the IPL’s MVP in 2008 and 2013.
He was also player of the tournament at the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
-AAP
