Reports have emerged that Watson is set to be dropped from the Australian side that fell at the hands of England to the tune of 169 runs in Cardiff.
Set to be replaced by young all-rounder Mitch Marsh, the news of Watson’s axing saw a collective sigh let out by a good section of Australian sports fans.
However, Watson’s future on the sideline may not be set in stone just yet.
Australia is on the back foot. There is no doubt that they’re rattled. They came into the first Ashes Test full of confidence, and were absolutely outplayed by an English side who were prepared to be patient, and make their move at crucial times throughout the series opener.
Australia on the other hand are a picture of instability.
Their wicketkeeper has pulled himself out due to personal reasons, and their spearhead quick is under an injury cloud.
Watson should count himself unlucky - he was by no mean a stand-out failure in the first Test, when you consider those around him put in performances similar to his own.
Mitchell Marsh is reportedly set to replace Shane Watson in the second #Ashes Test: http://t.co/UirvJxfxLb pic.twitter.com/69zjYytswo
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 14, 2015
The question now is, where to for Watto? The problem with making changes this early in the piece is that should Mitch Marsh fail, and England take an almost unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, where to then?
Marsh has been thrust into a side that is under immense pressure, and much of it now rests on his very young shoulders.
Watson will play again in this series considering the fact that after just one Test, three changes have been made to the side.
The much maligned all-rounder can be confident that Marsh is more likely to be modest than brilliant across the next four matches in trying English conditions, and this could see Watson return to the five-game fold sooner rather than later.
The English will be licking their lips, as the Australian selectors go into panic mode after just four days of play.
The Australians are already shuffling the decks, and it may well play into the hands of the English side who will no doubt be running on momentum and confidence, rather than outstanding form going into the series.