Mark Waugh decided to recall Watson four days later for his bowling experience, as he was the selector on duty in Sydney.
Can we presume it's good news then for Watson and bad news for the unlucky Mitchell Marsh that Waugh is again the selector on duty for this Saturday's match against Scotland in Hobart?
It may not hurt Watson's chances either that part of Waugh's job description as selector was based on his extensive knowledge of one-day cricket leading into a World Cup.
But what happens to the balance of the team if chairman Rod Marsh comes back on board as the selector on duty during the finals' stages?
After all, if Watson and Mitchell Marsh are being picked "horses for courses" as Cricket Australia have explained, it might be hard to leave Marsh out of a final at the MCG, given he took five wickets at that venue in the tournament opener.
It's understood that the selectors themselves aren't completely sold on the model that dictates that the man on the ground makes the final call.
The logic is that if the team is on tour overseas, time differences mean that the selector travelling with the team needs the authority to make quick decisions.
Fair enough.
But this is a home World Cup - the sport's showpiece event - and Watson is no fringe player.
Dumping him was always going to be a landmark moment, and Rod Marsh treated it as such by saying Watson's only immediate avenue back was through injury or poor form to a teammate.
Four days later and Watson is back for a legitimate but completely different reason - the conditions of the SCG pitch. Waugh owned the decision in his commentary on Fox Sports.
Waugh explained himself well and it's perfectly healthy for there to be differences of opinion on the panel.
The fact selectors were on a different page with Watson exposes a problem, which could plague the rest of Australia's World Cup campaign. At the moment, selectors can hide behind the fact they're winning, but they should also be aware of the impact it is having on the players.
- Daily Telegraph Sydney
