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February, 2007Watson back for finals
Shane Watson
©Getty Images / Cricket Australia
Shane Watson has been recalled to Australian squad ahead of the Commonwealth Bank finals series while Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait have been left out.
Watson, who has been missing from the Australian squad since injuring his hamstring prior to the Ashes, gets a recall ahead of schedule. The initial plan for the Queenslander was to have him ready for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy Series in New Zealand, but the biceps injury to Andrew Symonds, and Watson's strong form in grade and state cricket, has forced a rethink.
"We have included Shane Watson in the squad of 13 for the finals series. Shane has been given a full medical clearance and has successfully returned to domestic cricket. We feel the time is now right for him to return to international cricket," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.
"Shane adds a great balance to the Australian one-day side and was an important member of the victorious Australian side at the ICC Champions Trophy. It will be great to see Shane back in Australian colours again."
Watson's inclusion means that Tait and Clarke can return to state duties, while Brad Hogg gets a chance to press for inclusion in the World Cup squad.
"The selection panel has omitted Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait for the finals series. With Shane Watson returning to the side there is no need to continue with five specialist fast bowlers in the squad. Both Stuart and Shaun were unlucky to be omitted and remain very much in contention for selection in the ICC Cricket World Cup squad, which will be named at the conclusion of the finals series."
"Brad Hogg has played limited cricket so far in the Commonwealth Bank Series, however, he has been in extremely good form in domestic cricket with both bat and ball. The National Selection Panel will look at his possible inclusion for the remaining games depending on the conditions we face at the different venues.
The series begins in Melbourne on Friday, before travelling to Sydney on Sunday and then Adelaide if required on Tuesday.
Australian squad: R. Ponting (c), A. Gilchrist (vc), M. Hussey, B. Hodge, M. Hayden, M. Clarke, G. McGrath, B. Lee, N. Bracken, B. Hogg, M. Johnson, S. Watson, C. White
http://cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=38826
Shane Watson
©Getty Images / Cricket Australia
Shane Watson has been recalled to Australian squad ahead of the Commonwealth Bank finals series while Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait have been left out.
Watson, who has been missing from the Australian squad since injuring his hamstring prior to the Ashes, gets a recall ahead of schedule. The initial plan for the Queenslander was to have him ready for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy Series in New Zealand, but the biceps injury to Andrew Symonds, and Watson's strong form in grade and state cricket, has forced a rethink.
"We have included Shane Watson in the squad of 13 for the finals series. Shane has been given a full medical clearance and has successfully returned to domestic cricket. We feel the time is now right for him to return to international cricket," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.
"Shane adds a great balance to the Australian one-day side and was an important member of the victorious Australian side at the ICC Champions Trophy. It will be great to see Shane back in Australian colours again."
Watson's inclusion means that Tait and Clarke can return to state duties, while Brad Hogg gets a chance to press for inclusion in the World Cup squad.
"The selection panel has omitted Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait for the finals series. With Shane Watson returning to the side there is no need to continue with five specialist fast bowlers in the squad. Both Stuart and Shaun were unlucky to be omitted and remain very much in contention for selection in the ICC Cricket World Cup squad, which will be named at the conclusion of the finals series."
"Brad Hogg has played limited cricket so far in the Commonwealth Bank Series, however, he has been in extremely good form in domestic cricket with both bat and ball. The National Selection Panel will look at his possible inclusion for the remaining games depending on the conditions we face at the different venues.
The series begins in Melbourne on Friday, before travelling to Sydney on Sunday and then Adelaide if required on Tuesday.
Australian squad: R. Ponting (c), A. Gilchrist (vc), M. Hussey, B. Hodge, M. Hayden, M. Clarke, G. McGrath, B. Lee, N. Bracken, B. Hogg, M. Johnson, S. Watson, C. White
http://cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=38826
