Ashes heartache for Watson

Shane Watson © Getty Images

Injured all-rounder Shane Watson has revealed his disappointment at missing out as Australia reclaimed the Ashes in fine style.

Watson was virtually assured of a position in the Test team, but a slight tear to his hamstring during a domestic one-day match in the build-up to the series ruled him out of the first three Tests - all won by the hosts as they won back the famous urn.

The 25-year-old Queenslander looked like he may have been able to return for the fourth Test, which start on Boxing Day in Melbourne, but had a recurrence of the injury while bowling in the Queensland Bulls’ Pura Cup win over South Australia on Saturday and is now out for the entire Ashes campaign.

“I was really happy for all the guys because all that mattered was Australia winning back the Ashes,” he said.

“The guys all played extremely well to win the Ashes back in only three Test matches.

“I would have loved to have been a part of it but it wasn't my time I suppose.”

Watson also revealed his Bulls team-mate Andrew Symonds phoned him from the dressing room after the win in Perth on Monday so he could be included in the famous victory.

“Simmo actually gave me a call, which was really nice of him, to say he was thinking of me and that all the boys were having a couple of beers for me,” said Watson.

“They knew I was feeling happy for them but probably feeling disappointed and they wanted me to know I was in their thoughts, which was really lovely of them.”

Andrew Symonds celebrates taking a wicket in the third Test at the WACA © Getty Images

Buy this photo

Watson has turned his attention to the World Cup after injury forced him out of the rest of the series.

“There's a strain there and we think it's another tear,” he said.

“It's not a chronic thing. But when you're a bowler giving 100% every time you charge in, if there's a slight weakness there, it (the hamstring) does go as a bowler.”

The injury is the latest setback for Watson, who has had a number of unfortunate injuries to keep him out of the Test team since making his debut for Australia in 2005 against Pakistan.

But despite the run of bad luck, the strapping all-rounder said he was now focused on being fully fit for the World Cup in the West Indies next spring, especially after starring with the bat and ball in Australia's recent ICC Champions Trophy success in India.

“I'll be right for the World Cup, I just have to make sure I do everything I possibly can to make sure I'm there,” he said.

“I can't let the hamstring put me out of the World Cup as well as the Ashes.”