Shane Watson will be Available for Test Series against West Indies

Australian star all-rounder Shane Watson has said that he will be available for the upcoming Test series against West Indies in the Caribbeans, following the birth of his second child in Sydney.

Shane Watson could not be a part of the ongoing warm-up game against the West Indies Cricket Board's President XI due to the impending birth of his second child reported Cricinfo. He did not fly to the Caribbean island with the team as he delayed his departure and was granted the paternal leave. 

On 24 May, Watson was blessed with a baby girl whom the couple (Shane and Victoria) named Matilda. Watson also posted pictures of his baby girl on the social media website and expressed his delight. 

Other players including Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith and David Warner did not join the squad for the warm-up game and gave it a miss. The team management decided to give these players some rest as they were busy playing in the Indian Premier League.

Aussie paceman Ryan Harris and his wife Cherie too gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday and named him Carter James Harris. Harris is set to miss out on the Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean islands, but wants to continue playing in the doemstic circuit. He would be joining the Australian squad and be forming the trio pace-attck alongside Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in the upcoming Ashes series in England in July-August.

Australia Squad:

Chris Rogers, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Fawad Ahmed.