Watson's career not done yet: Lehmann

Australia coach Darren Lehmann says Shane Watson’s international future is not over after the allrounder was dropped for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s today.

Watson made 30 and 19 in the first Test, out lbw in both innings, and failed to take a wicket in Australia’s heavy defeat in Cardiff.

Live: Match report

The 34-year-old has been overlooked for boom Western Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who scored centuries in each of Australia’s tour matches against Kent and Essex in the lead-up to the first Test.

Lehmann says the national selection panel opted for the 59-Test veteran for the first Test in the Welsh capital, but Watson’s poor form has seen him make way for the younger Marsh.

“Shane’s been a little bit disappointing with his runs and it’s a tight call,” Lehmann said.

“He’s been an experienced player for us and Mitch Marsh has done everything we could ask for behind the scenes and obviously in the first two tour games – he’s in good form.

“It was a tight call in the first Test – we went with experience – and this time we’ve decided to go with Mitch Marsh.

“Tough call on Shane but I’m sure he’s got plenty of cricket left in him.”

Watson will get his first chance to redeem himself in Australia’s three-day tour match against Derby following the second Test.

Lehmann hasn’t ruled out Watson returning during the series, just like he did in the 2015 Cricket World Cup when he was dropped for the clash against Afghanistan in Perth.

Watson was replaced by the same man that took his place in the Test side today before earning a recall in the following match at the SCG against Sri Lanka.

“It’s a case for him getting back, we’ve got a county game next week which he’ll play in and get some form back and keep putting his name in front of the selectors.

“He’s a chance, very much like the World Cup, where he got dropped and came back into the side.

“Form is going to dictate what Shane does.”

Lehmann also congratulated debutant Peter Nevill, who makes plays his first Test in a Baggy Green after Brad Haddin withdrew from the match for family reasons.

Video: Nevill receives his Baggy Green

“Fantastic isn’t it,” Lehmann said.

“Player 443 for us and he gets his cap presented by Steve Waugh, one of the greats of the game which we’re really excited about.

“We wish him a really great and long career.”

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