Watson plays down injury fears ahead of first Ashes Test

Australian Test player Shane Watson has tried to pacify his nation's cricket fans by saying that he has had a few niggles like his present injury over the last eight or nine months and so, it will not be too bad hopefully.

According to News.com.au, Watson has a history of hamstring problems, which flared again on Saturday night when he broke down while bowling in the last one-day match of the seven-game series against India in Bangalore.

He added that he had a groin problem and even another hamstring niggle throughout the Ashes series.

Despite his bravado, batting and bowling plans will be hastily revamped in the fear that Watson will be unable to recover for the first Test, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba in just 17 days, the report said.

His likely absence will further weaken an already fragile batting line-up now largely devoid of experience following the retirements of Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting, the report added.