'Injured' Watson ruled out from first Test against Proteas

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has reportedly been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa, starting at Centurion on Wednesday, after a slow recovery from a calf injury.

Watson did not bowl in an inter-squad practice match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday, but did bat, making 34.

According to Sport24, although team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said that Watson would be fit enough to face the hosts after he picked up the injury at the team's training camp a week ago, he feels that the player is not going to be right for the first Test as he struggled to get up to match level on Saturday.

Stating that Watson could feel the strain of his injury, Kountouris also said that he needs a few more days to recover and start up again, adding that scans have showed that Watson is suffering from a low-grade muscle injury in his calf.

The first Test starts at SuperSport Park near Pretoria on Wednesday, with the second following in Port Elizabeth on February 19, which will be the next target for Watson.

Australia have already lost all-rounder James Faulkner from the original squad selected the tour, which includes three Tests and three Twenty20 internationals, the report added.