Melbourne, Australia: Cricket Australia said Sunday that all-rounder Shane Watson has been ruled out of Australia's tour of the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan after complications from a right ankle injury.
Watson sprained the ankle after stepping on a ball in training during Australia's tour of Zimbabwe in mid-August. Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris says Watson has experienced some right calf soreness and "as Shane has previously had similar injuries, we plan to hold back his return to running and bowling."
Ben Hilfenhaus will replace Watson in the test squad, while Kane Richardson will take Watson's place in the Twenty20 and one-day international squads. Australia will play two tests, three one-dayers and a T20 match against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 5 to Nov. 3.
