Shane Watson rejects talk of retirement

Shane Watson was dropped after the first Ashes Test

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said that he will continue to play cricket as long as he enjoyed the game, The Daily Telegraph reports. The 34-year-old added that he had only himself to blame for getting axed from the side after the first Ashes Test.

Watson, who has played 59 times for Australia in the longer format of the game, feels that he still has a lot to offer to the side and added that he is still hopeful of a Test recall, despite his age being on the higher side.

“I still feel I have got a lot to give," he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. “I still feel I am only getting better and improving in all formats. (As long as) I'm still really loving playing and enjoying every single moment and trying to get better every time I play and train, I want to keep playing as long as that's still there."

Watson has had a disappointing run of late in Tests with indifferent form against India in the four-match series at home, while he also struggled against West Indies and against England in the first Test at Cardiff, where he was dismissed leg before wicket in both innings.

He was replaced by Mitchell Marsh for the Lord’s Test and continued in the side at Edgbaston. Watson admitted though that it was his form that led to the axing.

“I am not exactly sure at the moment what my immediate future holds. After the first Test, I was very disappointed to miss out but in the end I only have myself to blame," he said. "I am just disappointed in myself that I wasn't able to perform well enough to be part of such an exciting Ashes series.

"I have been very lucky and fortunate through my career to have plenty of opportunities and I just didn't score enough runs, it's as simple as that. In the West Indies and the first (Ashes) Test as well.”

Australia trail England 2-1 as the two sides are set to continue their rivalry in the fourth Test beginning on Thursday and Watson expressed hope that his side would be able to come out on top.

"I'll just have to see what happens in the future but in the end the most important thing is that whoever goes out onto the field we put on the best showing we possibly can to get back in the series."