Out-of-form Watson replaced by Faulkner

Perth, March 4 (IANS) All-rounder Shane Watson was on Wednesday dropped from the Australian playing XI for their World Cup Pool A encounter against Afghanistan at the WACA here.

The 33-year-old was replaced by left-arm bowling all-rounder James Faulkner, who has made a comeback following an injury.

It was one of the two changes for Australia with pacer Josh Hazlewood coming in place of fast bowler Pat Cummins, who has a slight side strain.

"Faulkner's in for Shane Watson which is a big decision 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," National Selection Panel chairman Rod Marsh was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia.

"Unfortunately, he's been getting starts but hasn’t been going on with it and we had to fit James in and someone had to go. I'm not saying it was a choice between any players but it just happened to be Shane’s time to go for this particular match."

Australian spin legend Shane Warne also gave the thumbs-up to the decision, saying: "I suppose they've just said 'you know what, we're sort of sick and tired of Shane Watson not making runs'."

Watson has a formidable record in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. He averages 40.15 from 182 games with nine centuries and 31 fifties but hasn't passed the three-figure mark since he scored 102 against India in October 2013.