Watson fit for Boxing Day Test

It was business as usual for Shane Watson at the MCG today, with the allrounder showing no ill-effects from yesterday's scare when he was struck in the helmet by a bouncer from fellow squad member James Pattinson. 

Watson trained with the rest of the squad ahead of Friday's Boxing Day Test without incident, completing fielding, bowling and batting drills as he looks to build on his imposing record at the venue. 

The NSW representative has scored four half-centuries and one century in four Boxing Day Tests, averaging 89.60 with the bat, while coach Darren Lehmann was also vocal that he expected his allrounder to maintain the heavy bowling workload he had in the second Commonwealth Bank Test, particularly in the absence of injured allrounder Mitch Marsh.

Yesterday, Watson was shaken when hit by the Pattinson boucner, leaving the nets gingerly before being assess by Bupa Support Team doctor Peter Brukner. 

National Selection Panel member Mark Waugh indicated last night that he would be monitored closely through the night and this morning, however the fact that he trained uninhibited today will be a relief to Lehmann, who has been forced to contend with a growing injury list this summer. 

Shaun Marsh almost added to those injury concerns this morning when he too was struck in the MCG nets, copping a blow to what appeared to be the index finger on his left hand. 

The West Australian left the nets but returned a short while later and resumed batting. 

Australia take a two-nil lead into Friday's third Test against India.