Watson will watch the match from the sidelines

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson will miss the tri-series match against England in Hobart after complaining of tightness in his right hamstring.

Watson, who suffered the injury while training with the national team on Thursday, is set to be replaced by all-rounder Moises Henriques after he was included in the squad.

Watson’s injury is a major blow for Australia since they are already without the services of captain George Bailey, who was suspended for maintaining a slow over-rate in the Baggy Greens’ match against India, and opener David Warner, who has been rested since he has a sore hamstring.

When asked about Watson’s condition, stand-in captain Steven Smith said: “He bowled this morning. I think he’s just a little bit tight. I don’t think it’s anything too major. I think it’s more a precautionary measure to make sure he’s right for the World Cup.”

Henriques will join the national team on Thursday evening, which means that he will be unavailable for the Sydney Sixers’ Big Bash League (BBL) match against the Sydney Thunder.

Australia have also called up Cameron White and Shaun Marsh as potential replacements for Bailey and Warner.

“Moises is one of our leading all-rounders, he has international experience, and in Shane Watson’s enforced absence it made perfect sense to draft him in for this match,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said. “The intention is to release Moises, along with Cameron White and Shaun Marsh, after the match as it is our expectation that we will have George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh and David Warner available for selection for our match in Sydney on Monday.”