Watson creates concerns for Oz Ashes hopes with 'niggling discomfort' in leg

Australian opener Shane Watson has thrown a spanner in Australia's hopes for the Ashes after he suffered a 'niggling' discomfort in his lower leg while bowling his fourth over and then spent time off the ground, in the first Test at Trent Bridge.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although Watson later returned to the field and opened the batting, Australia may still be a bowler down for the remainder of the Ashes given the all-rounder's history of injuries, in particular calf problems.

Team coach Darren Lehmann said that Watson would be examined by team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris and he believed that the former vice-captain would bowl in the second innings in case the diagnosis comes out fine.

According to the report, Watson did not have to run much while making a score of 13, as 12 of them came in boundaries, adding that if he is unable to return to bowling, his burden will fall on the shoulders of Peter Siddle, whose opening day heroics inspired Australia to rip through England for 215.

Lehmann admitted that Siddle could have been dropped, having struggled to impose himself on the tour match against Somerset but in the end he was trusted to lead an attack made even more inexperienced by the promotion of teen debutant Ashton Agar.

On England bowler Stuart Broad being hit on an already painful shoulder by James Pattinson, Lehmann said that the Australians bowling attack will be very aggressive like the opening day and will remain the same for the entire series, although he added that the bowlers do not want anyone to get hurt.