Australia's Watson to miss rest of Ashes series

PERTH, Dec 16 (Reuters) Australia all-rounder Shane Watson is expected to miss the rest of the Ashes series after straining his hamstring in his comeback match today.

Watson was forced to withdraw from the first three tests of the series after injuring himself playing in the domestic competition a week before the opening test.

The 25-year-old was hoping to return for the fourth test starting in Melbourne on December 26 but is certain to be ruled out after aggravating his hamstring playing for Queensland against South Australia today.

Local media reported that the latest tear was worse than the original and he would not be able to bowl for at least a month, ruling him out of the last two tests.

Michael Clarke was called up to replace Watson for the first three tests and scored two hundreds and a half-century to leave Australia poised to regain the Ashes in record time.

REUTERS DH HT1710