Shane Watson to return as Australia ring in changes to their squad ahead of T20 World Cup

Australia are ringing in changes to their squad ahead of their second T20 International (T20I) clash against South Africa that takes place on 6 March (Sunday), with all-rounder Shane Watson expected to play after missing the first game on Friday. The hosts beat Australia by three wickets with Imran Tahir and David Miller starring for the Proteas.

National selector Mark Waugh confirmed that Watson will return for the final two games while there will be other changes too, with Australia looking to settle on the best XI ahead of the upcoming 2016 ICC T20 World Cup in India.

"He (Watson) would have played today except he had a stomach strain so we just wanted to make sure that he was fully fit. He will play in the last two games," said Waugh, as quoted by cricketaustralia.com.

"We're probably going to give everybody two games out of three matches so that we can have a look at them and give them some game time in the middle. We've played very little T20 cricket so everybody will get a game.

"Watson's bowling has been very good the last three or four months. In the Big Bash he bowled well and then for Australia in the T20s against India, he was actually our best bowler. He presents the seam beautifully and he's a bit deceptive when he hits the deck hard."

Watson scored an unbeaten 124 against India in his last T20 appearance for Australia but suffered an abdominal injury while playing for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League three weeks ago. He will most probably come in for Aaron Finch, who smashed 40 runs off just 18 balls in his return to cricket after sitting out for five weeks because of a hamstring injury.