(MENAFN- Kora) Watson hurt his calf on the eve of the series opener and watched on as his team claimed a 281-run win against the world's top-ranked Test side
After such a comprehensive victory € set up by Mitchell Johnson's 12-wicket match € Watson may struggle to force his way back into the team
Alex Doolan performed well on debut with scores of 27 and 89, while Shaun Marsh made a first-innings century in his first Test in over two years
Those efforts leave Australia with few positions for Watson, with opener Chris Rogers (four and one in the first Test) the most likely to make way
The pitch at Port Elizabeth for the Test starting Thursday could decide whether Watson regains his place
If another bowling option is needed to support Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon, Watson may be included
Johnson was the standout in the first Test as he rattled the South Africa batsmen with his pace and bounce
Australia recovered from 24-2 and 98-4 in the first innings and their top order remains a concern, despite David Warner's second-innings ton
The hosts must learn to deal with Johnson or face going 2-0 down in the three-Test series
Only Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers looked capable of dealing with the left-arm speedster at times, and even they were troubled
South Africa captain Graeme Smith put his team's batting down to the pitch more than Johnson, perhaps trying to give his side some confidence heading into the second Test
Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel failed to have the same impact in a series billed as a battle between the world's two best bowling attacks
South Africa desperately need a response to their dreadful first-up loss, but Johnson shapes as being the match-winner once more.
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