Watson's career not over: Clarke

Captain Michael Clarke says allrounder Shane Watson still has an important role to play in this World Cup and beyond despite being left out of Australia's match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Watson was dropped for the game in Perth to make room for the return of James Faulkner from injury, with Steve Smith replacing Watson at No.3 in the batting order.

The 33-year-old admitted he only had himself to blame after a lean period with the bat that had yielded one half-century from 12 ODI innings.

Quick Single: Watson admits his form not good enough

With Watson out of form and Australia already boasting pace-bowling allrounders Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh in their XI, questions have been asked about whether or not Watson will be able to win back his place in the side.

Writing in News Ltd newspapers, Clarke threw his support behind his former vice-captain and said he still had an important role to play in this World Cup.

"Obviously it was a tough call for the selectors to drop Shane Watson, but Watto handled it exceptionally well and showed he still has a lot to contribute whether he’s in the playing eleven or not," Clarke wrote.

"His attitude stayed exactly the same around the group, as has George Bailey’s since he was dropped out of the side.

"I’ve been asked a little bit if this is the end of Watto’s career, and I don’t believe it is.

"He’s been a very good player for a long period of time for Australia in all three formats and I’m really confident he will continue to be an important asset for Australian cricket going forward.

"First and foremost he’s going to be vital throughout this World Cup and he’s going to play a huge role in helping us have success on and off the field."

Clarke's comments echo those of National Selection Panel Chairman Rod Marsh, who said Watson will still be an important member of the squad as they prepare for the knockout stage of the tournament.

But the former Test wicketkeeper hinted that Watson would have to wait for an injury or someone else to lose form before he could force his way back into the side. 

"It doesn’t mean anything going forward, except that he’s not in the XI at the moment," Marsh said.

"If things change then there’s no reason why he won’t be back in the XI.

"He’s a fine, fine player ... it was a tough decision – no-one likes to leave out anyone. Hopefully he’ll find himself back in the team at some stage.

"He might have to rely on someone else’s lack of form or an injury to get back in (the side), but it’s a good situation to be in really when you’ve got both Watson and George Bailey out of the side – two extremely well-credentialed one-day players." 

Having Bailey and Watson outside the best XI underlines the depth of Australia's squad.

Both players average over 40 with the bat in one-day internationals, with 11 centuries and 46 fifties between them.

Clarke said the reserve players in their 15-man squad still have an important role to play as the World Cup action starts to heat up.

"As well as Watto and Bailes, Xavier Doherty is another one who has been outstanding around the group," Clarke wrote.

"Dohey hasn’t had an opportunity yet to play, but he’s a wonderful team man and I think that’s what you need to win World Cups.

"You need the guys who aren’t playing working just as hard as those who are, and I think we have that in our group at the moment.

"Their role is hugely important."

Australia play Sri Lanka at the SCG on Sunday in a match that will likely determine who finishes in second place in Pool A behind New Zealand.

Excitement builds for Australia v Sri Lanka