Shane Watson to lead Australia in the final T20I at SCG

All-rounder Shane Watson has been announced as the captain for the 3rd T20I on Sunday against India in Sydney. Watson was one of the surprise inclusions in the T20 squad against India and had previously admitted that he thought his international career was over.

He gets this opportunity after regular T20 skipper Aaron Finch injured his hamstrings during the 2nd T20I at Melbourne. His injury has also raised concerns over his participation the upcoming World T20 in March.

“It is an honour to be asked to lead the side on Sunday, although the circumstances are far from ideal,” Watson said in a Cricket Australia statement.

“We may have lost the series but there is a great deal to play for with the ICC World Twenty20 coming up and you can be sure we will be determined to do well in Sydney.”

Usman Khawaja has received a call-up for the dead-rubber contest to replace Finch at the top of the order. Khawaja is in prolific form and scored runs in heaps during the recent BBL.

Watson credited fellow all-rounder Jacques Kallis with a reversal in form that saw him post consecutive half-centuries for the Thunder, which undoubtedly played a key role in his call-up to the national T20 side.

“After being dropped from the one-day squad I knew my international days were probably nearly over, so it was nice to get that surprise and to get that call from (selector) Rod Marsh yesterday,” Watson said at the time.

“I’ve been very lucky to have one of the best batters who has ever played the game in Jacques Kallis, who has helped me out with my batting, especially over the last month.

“Just working through a couple of technical things has had an incredible impact on my batting.

“It’s only very simple things but when it feels like things are slightly out, the simple things can make such a huge difference.”

India sealed the three-match series with the MCG win are leading 2-0 in the 3 match series.