Shane Watson announces Test retirement

Watson retires

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has announced his retirement from Test cricket effective immediately after another injury setback cut short his one-day international series against England. Watson sustained a series-ending calf injury in Saturday's 64-run one-day win over England at Lord's.

The 34-year-old cricketer played his last Test against England in the first match of the Ashes series after which he was dropped from the playing XI for the whole series. Watson has represented Australia in 59 Test matches where he had scored 3731 runs at a modest average of 35.17 and picked up 75 wickets.

He was continuously dealing with injury throughout his 10-year Test career before finally breaking the news to his teammates at their London base today, reports Cricket Australia. Watson will continue to play in the shorter format of the game

"It’s been a decision that hasn’t come lightly, over the last month especially," Watson said. "I know it’s the right time to move on and still hopefully play the shorter formats of the game, one-dayers and T20s.

Watto expressed his thoughts over his decision and said: "I've been through a lot of different waves of emotion about what is right for myself, my family and most importantly the team as well. Over the last couple of days there was a lot of clarity (for me) of what the right decision was. I just know that I've given everything I possibly can to get the best out of myself."

Mitchell Marsh replaced Watson in the second Test match during Australia's Ashes campaign and since then Watson didn't get the chance to play again in playing XI.

"I just know it's the right time to move on. I don't have that real fight in me, especially for Test cricket, knowing the lengths physically that I'd have to go through, mentally and technically as well, to be at my best in Test cricket, so I just know it's the right time," Watson added.

The skipper of the current Australian team, Steven Smith and other players congratulated Watson on Twitter:

59 Test matches for Australia is an incredible achievement. @ShaneRWatson33 you should be really proud of everything you've accomplished.

— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) September 6, 2015

Congrats to @ShaneRWatson33 on an outstanding test career for Australia! It has been a pleasure and privilege to be your team mate!

— Nathan Lyon (@NathLyon421) September 6, 2015

Congratulations to @ShaneRWatson33 who has called time on a stellar 59-Test career. pic.twitter.com/t1rQHQpg48

— Cricket Australia (@CAComms) September 6, 2015