* Calf strain rules Watson out of test
* Quiney to make debut aged 30
* Arthur confident Ponting will play (Clarifies injury status after updated Cricket Australia statement)
By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE, Nov 5 (Reuters) – Allrounder Shane Watson has been ruled out of the first test against South Africa with a calf strain in a huge blow for Australia’s hopes of upsetting the top-ranked visitors.
Vice captain Watson injured his left calf playing for New South Wales against Queensland on Saturday and had been a doubt for the test which begins on Friday at the Gabba in Brisbane.
“We’re ruling him out now because we think he won’t be fit enough come Friday,” Australia coach Mickey Arthur told reporters in Brisbane, where he confirmed Rob Quiney would make his test debut in the 31-year-old’s absence.
“We wanted to make a decisive decision pretty early so we could give some real clarity to the team, so unfortunately Shane misses out and Quiney plays.”
Governing body Cricket Australia earlier reported Watson’s omission as being due to a hamstring injury, but later changed the diagnosis in an updated statement.
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