Australia all-rounder Watson still hopeful of Test recall

Sport360 staff 08:14 06/08/2015
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  • Dropped Australian all-rounder Shane Watson says he has no plans to walk away from cricket and hasn’t given up on a Test recall.

    The 34-year-old was axed after just one Test of the Ashes campaign against England in favour of young gun Mitchell Marsh after he was twice out lbw cheaply in the opening defeat at Cardiff.

    Despite his Test career seemingly over, Watson said he has no plans to retire from international cricket.

    “I still feel I have got a lot to give,” he told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph“I still feel I am only getting better and improving in all formats. I am not exactly sure at the moment what my immediate future holds.

    “I’m still really loving playing and enjoying every single moment and trying to get better every time I play and train. I want to keep playing as long as that’s still there.”

    Watson, a 59-Test veteran, added that he had nothing to be bitter about being dropped and admitted the buck stopped with him.

    “After the first Test I was very disappointed to miss out but in the end I only have myself to blame,” he said.

    “I have been very lucky and fortunate through my career to have plenty of opportunities and I just didn’t score enough runs, it’s as simple as that. In the West Indies and the first (Ashes) Test as well.

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    “I am just disappointed in myself that I wasn’t able to perform well enough to be part of such an exciting Ashes series.

    “I’ll just have to see what happens in the future but in the end the most important thing is that whoever goes out onto the field we put on the best showing we possibly can to get back in the series.”

    Meanwhile, Australia opener Chris Rogers has revealed that fear of another concussion and the potential impact on his health has reinforced his decision to retire after the Ashes.

    The left-handed opener was hit on the head in Brisbane last year and missed the West Indies tour in June because of concussion.

    After being hit on the back of the head by James Anderson at Lord’s and suffering dizzying spells after it, the 38-year-old admits it has served as a reality check for him.

    “Concussion has played a part really. As you get older, you’re always wondering if the reflexes are as good,” he was quoted as saying by Australia’s News Corp.

    “And I guess getting hit in the head is not a great thing to be happening. I have to be aware of that as well and know that physically, I’m possibly past my prime… (even though) I feel I’m batting really well and probably as consistently as ever, which has been the most satisfying thing.”

    Rogers said that he had been contemplating retirement for a long time.

    “After the Anderson incident there were a lot of thoughts going through my mind and retirement, it has been on my mind a little bit over the last year. My health is obviously paramount. It’s still only a game that we’re playing.” 

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