Watson out for two months

Shane Watson will have an operation on his dislocated left shoulder on Tuesday and is expected to be out of action for two months. Watson, who has played three Tests, suffered the injury diving in the field as Australia wrapped up the first Test with a 379-run win in Brisbane yesterday.

As his team-mates rushed to Watson at mid-on he told them he was "gone" and the physiotherapist Errol Alcott helped him from the ground. "He partially dislocated his shoulder and he'll have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow," a team spokeswoman told AAP. "They'll know more about the time frame after the surgery tomorrow, but as a rough estimate they're saying two months."

Watson's injury throws out Australia's plans for the summer as he was expected to receive at least a series to settle as the side's allrounder. Australia must now decide whether to revert to a normal six-man batting line-up, which would encourage Brad Hodge's prospects of a debut, or keep Adam Gilchrist at No. 6 and pick five bowlers for the second Test at Hobart next week. Gilchrist has suggested Andrew Symonds would also come into contention for the allrounder's berth.

Ricky Ponting said after the Test win Stuart MacGill was a likely inclusion while dropping Nathan Bracken would be difficult after he took four wickets in the West Indies second innings. Australia are also waiting on news of Justin Langer's recovery from the fractured rib that ruled him out at Brisbane.

Watson did not bowl in the first innings at the Gabba but was introduced as first-change in the second, picking up his second Test wicket when he induced an edge from Chris Gayle. Struggling for effectiveness in his three matches, Watson's injury is still untimely as Australia introduce new players following the Ashes loss.