Allrounder Shane Watson might have played his last one-day international for Australia after he was axed from the side that beat Afghanistan by a record 275 runs in the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday. Watson has been an automatic selection by Australia, but struggled in the first two matches against England (duck and 0/13) and New Zealand (23 and didn't bowl). Watson has only one half century in seven games this year, and has paid for the team's strength in depth at his third World Cup.
Australia picked allrounder James Faulkner instead at the WACA ground, and retained fledging allrounder Mitchell Marsh alongside him. "Watto handled the decision well," skipper Michael Clarke said. "He has been fantastic around the team today. He's taken it really well." When asked about Watson's future, Clarke said: "It is up to the selectors to make that decision."
Australian chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said dropping Watson was a tough call. "But it's one we thought we had to make, because in Shane's last 10 one-day games, he's got 220 runs at an average of 22," Marsh said. "Unfortunately he's been getting starts, but he hasn't been going on with it. "We had to fit James in, and someone had to go. He might have to rely on someone else's lack of form or an injury to get back in.
"Spots are tough to get in the Australian team at the moment, and that's the way we like it. If hard decisions have to be made, we have to make them." Clarke hails batsmen Clarke hailed his batsmen for their efforts as they posted the highest ODI score — 417 — in a World Cup match against Afghanistan. Sent in to bat in a Pool A contest at the WACA, Australia registered a mammoth total of 417 for six from their 50 overs. In reply, Afghanistan managed to score only 142, giving Australia their highest win while batting first in ODIs — 275 runs.
"Very good win, outstanding performance with the bat. David Warner was exceptional. Steve Smith beautiful and Glenn Maxwell fantastic," Clarke said at the post-match presentation ceremony. The 33-year-old also said it was great having all-rounder James Faulkner in the side after recovering from side strain. "Good to see James (Faulkner) back. His bowling was outstanding. He will be there for the game against Sri lanka," he said.
The skipper added it will be the selectors who decide the 11 players who will be fielded on Sunday against Sri lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "We will see what is the best 11 for Sri lanka. That's the good thing about our selectors, they are selecting the team based on the conditions and the opposition. Whatever 11 they give me on Sunday, I will try to get the best out of them," concluded Clarke.