Watson won't change his status

Shane Watson has no plans to ease his bowling load despite accepting that fast men are more likely to get injured. Watson hurt his left calf in his second over against Bangladesh on Saturday and is waiting on results to determine whether he remains part of the World Cup campaign.

The setback, which follows a trail of injuries at inopportune times, has not forced Watson to reconsider his quest to mix top-order batting with bowling at 140kph. "There are always going to be injuries in sport," he said in The Australian. "The majority of bowlers get injuries, whether it's in blocks, or over certain times of their career.

"It's part and parcel of their career. If I was 30 or 31 and things were continually to happen like this, yeah, it's probably then a time to worry."

Since 2005-06 Watson has suffered a dislocated shoulder while fielding, a calf problem during his double-century in a Pura Cup final, food poisoning that he felt was a heart attack, a hamstring tear that ruled him out of the entire Ashes series and the current complaint. As a teenager he had a series of back problems and was also ruled out of the 2003 World Cup with stress fractures that led to another remodelling of his action.

"I am only 25," he said. "It does take a while to develop, for your muscles to build momentum."

During the World Cup he has been a useful performer, picking up four not outs while making 77 runs at more than one-and-a-half runs a ball and collecting a wicket against South Africa.

"I know I have been able to contribute to the middle order," Watson said. "I haven't been dismissed yet. I feel I am bowling really well. I am able to contribute in the Powerplays, especially when it's a time when batters can really get going."

The encouraging displays have convinced Watson he is doing the right thing. "I absolutely love being an allrounder," he said. "I have always enjoyed being a part of the game, whether it's in the field, bowling or batting."

Watson's calf will be reviewed at the end of this week by Alex Kountouris, the physio, and he is likely to be replaced by Brad Hodge for the match against England in Antigua on Sunday. However, he is confident he won't be going home early.

"There's no dates set down yet," he said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "A lot of it does depend on how I do pull up over the next seven to ten days, and then it will hopefully be a gradual progression from there."