Paranoia over Watson breakdown

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Shane Watson of Australia pulls up short while bowling during day one of the first Ashes Test. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

PARANOIA and confusion surround Shane Watson's latest breakdown, which may force Cricket Australia to reconsider sending David Warner on the Australia A tour of southern Africa.

Australia's cricket hierarchy are refusing to release any details of the injury-plagued all-rounder's latest problem.

If Watson is unable to play the second Test at Lord's next week he will be replaced in the side by Usman Khawaja, leaving Australia without a reserve batsman to cover for the possibility of further injury or illness.

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Following a month without cricket because of suspension Warner is due to fly to Africa on the weekend for Australia A matches against a Zimbabwe XI and South Africa A before returning ahead of the third Test at Old Trafford.

Watson, 32, pulled up gingerly during his fourth over shortly after lunch on the opening day and left the field.

He returned later and did not bowl again but was able to open the batting.

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Following a dramatic first day's play, when 14 wickets fell, coach Darren Lehmann said that Watson had a leg "niggle" but there was hope he may be able to bowl in England's second innings.

However News Limited understands that Watson bowling again during this match is unlikely because of a problem with his lower left leg.

He did not warm up with his team mates before the second day's play but instead walked laps with team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris. Even walking Watson did not look comfortable.

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Niggles have kept Watson out for long periods in the past and the latest injury raises the question of whether he can be chosen for a Test if he is not fit enough to bowl.

The alternate argue is given Australia's fragile batting line-up should Watson be bowling at all?

Despite his failure in the first innings, driving hard at a moving ball to be caught in the slips for 13, Watson is a key batsman for Australia.

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Restored to the top of the order where he has played his best cricket, Watson must have a good series opening the batting if Australia is to have any hope of regaining the Ashes.

Watson's career has been so hampered by injury that he has missed 51 Tests since his debut in January 2005. Currently he is playing his 42nd Test.

Most frustrating has been Watson's failure to play so few Tests in Australia during the past two seasons.

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He missed the whole of the 2011-12 Test summer against New Zealand and India then managed just three Tests last season, the last against South Africa in Perth and then the first two against Sri Lanka before breaking down in Melbourne and failing to play in Sydney.

During a recent interview Watson admitted the past year or so had been the most difficult period of his cricketing life.

Not only did he suffer more injury problems, he was shuffled around in the batting order, became one of four players suspended in India for not doing their homework, stepped down as vice-captain and saw coach Mickey Arthur replaced by Darren Lehmann.

"It is definitely the most challenging period I've had in my cricket career," Watson told News Limited.

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Watch every ball of the 2013 Ashes series, starting with the first Test from Trent Bridge on July 10, LIVE and in HIGH DEFINITION on Fox Sports.

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