Watson faces fitness test after being struck by bouncer

Melbourne, Dec 23 (IANS) Selector Mark Waugh has said Shane Watson faces a fitness test Wednesday morning for the third Test against India, starting Friday, after the all-rounder was struck on the helmet in the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) nets here Tuesday. Dhawan fit to play in Boxing Day Test

According to Cricket Australia (CA) website, Watson was floored by a bouncer from young pacer James Pattinson during training and appeared to be distressed as he left the session early in the company of team doctor Peter Brukner. 

Watson skipped the team's public appearance at Cricket Australia's Family Day at the MCG, returning to his hotel room where he was said to be "off colour", according to National Selection Panel member Mark Waugh. 

Vice-captain Brad Haddin said that Watson was "shaken, but OK" after the blow, but Waugh revealed that the 33-year-old would have to undergo a fitness test before being cleared to play in Boxing Day Test. 

"It was his last ball he was facing in the nets and it struck him somewhere near the temple region," Waugh said during commentary on Tuesday night's KFC T20 Big Bash League match in Hobart. 

"He was pretty much OK to start off with then he felt a little bit off colour back in his hotel room. So I believe he’s going to have a few tests overnight and we’ll see how he comes up in the morning so hopefully he should be OK to play in the Test match." 

Waugh said selectors would wait on the results from the fitness test before deciding on any possible reinforcements to Australia's 13-man squad. 

"We’ll see how the test goes in the morning," Waugh said. 

"There might be no need to add anyone - hopefully that’s the case - but depending on what the doctors say, we’ll go from there. It could be an out-and-out batsman or it could be an all-rounder, it just depends."