Cricket: Shane Watson cagey over Test future

SHANE Watson insists he “loves” playing cricket for Australia – but stopped short of ruling out international retirement following this week’s controversial disciplinary issues.

Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were all suspended for one match after failing to deliver a presentation, as instructed by coach Mickey Arthur, on the way forward following defeats in the first two Tests of their current tour of India.

Watson subsequently flew home to Australia to be with his pregnant wife and admitted he was “weighing up his future” at Test level.

And he told reporters yesterday: “This will give me a time to be able to reflect on what’s happened over the last couple of days, to absorb what’s happened and have a think about where things are at. I absolutely love playing cricket, I love nothing more than having the opportunity and privilege to be able to represent my country.”

Former captain Kim Hughes suggested the decision over whether to continue in Tests should be taken out of Watson’s hands.

“If Shane Watson has to think about his position, that tells you more about him and maybe we’re better off bringing forward a younger kid that wants it,” Hughes said. “The sooner we get rid of him the better if he is having to think about it and he’s the vice-captain.”