The suspended vice-captain has dismissed reports he is going to quit cricket and says he hopes he can play for Australia again.
Australian vice-captain Shane Watson was one of four players dropped for their side’s third Test against India for disciplinary reasons.
Watson was the first of the quartet to give his view on the decision and this assertion that the suspension was “very harsh”, and consequent decision to pull out of the tour altogether, led many to believe his international future was in doubt.
However, the 31-year-old has insisted he does not intend to quit wearing the Baggy Green cap.
“I accept that I did the wrong thing with what I did, but I will always find it hard to accept being suspended from a Test match for my country,” the all-rounder told the Sydney Morning Herald.
When asked if it was the end of his Test career he replied: “I hope not”.
Comments from Cricket Australia general manager of performance, Pat Howard, about Watson’s commitment to the team and relationship with captain Michael Clarke, were also addressed by the player.
“Go around and ask every person I’ve ever played cricket with and they will tell you if I am a team player,” Watson continued.
“I’ve been playing with and against Michael Clarke since I was 12. We’ve got a lot of history as people.
“In the end, like in every relationship, it goes up and down and things are going really well at the moment with me and Michael.”
Watson will certainly not play in the rest of the Test series in India as he has already stated he is pulling out to be with his wife, who is due to give birth to their first child.
However, with two Ashes series looming in this calendar year, the all-rounder will be must hoping he can get himself back into the side as quickly as possible.
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