Shane Watson arrives for son’s birth

Australia vice-captain Shane Watson and wife Lee were on Thursday night celebrating the birth of their first child, Will.

The timely nature of the birth means Watson would be free to return to the side for Australia’s fourth cricket Test against India in Delhi on February 22, although the batsman has threatened to quit the game following his shock suspension earlier this week.

Watson, Test quick James Pattinson and squad members Usman Khwaja and Mitchell Johnson were all stood down from selection for Thursday’s third Test in Mohali for failing to complete a homework assignment which was due on Saturday night.

Watson, 31, says he’s considering his future in Test cricket.

“Watto has made it clear to everybody that that’s something he’s thinking about while he’s home,” captain Michael Clarke told reporters on Wednesday.

“He’s vice-captain of this team and he’s a big part of this team.

“From the conversation Watto and I have had, 100 per cent he has gone home for the birth of his first child, which is very exciting for him.”

Cricket Australia’s high-performance chief Pat Howard has questioned Watson’s team ethic, saying the 40-Test veteran is a good team man sometimes.

Watson hit back upon arrival at Sydney airport on Tuesday by saying former rugby international Howard hadn’t been involved in cricket for long and didn’t know him well.

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