Cricket: Watson latest scare ahead of SA Test

Watson stops short after bowling his sixth ball of the match.

BRISBANE: Talismanic all-rounder Shane Watson has become Australia’s latest injury scare ahead of next week’s Test against South Africa after pulling up with a sore calf during a Sheffield Shield clash. Watson left the field after bowling his first over of the day for New South Wales (NSW) in their match with Queensland in Brisbane yesterday.

Watson, 31, stopped short after bowling his sixth ball and then held a lengthy conversation with NSW and Test captain Michael Clarke. He stayed on the field for the following over but later left the ground to return to his team’s dressing room.

Former captain Ricky Ponting was also withdrawn from Tasmania’s Shield match against South Australia on Friday with hamstring soreness, while Pat Cummins was ruled out for the season with a stress back complaint.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2012.