How Twitter reacted to Shane Watson being dropped by Australia

Shane Watson in action against the Black Caps at Eden Park, in possibly is last game at the Cricket World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Allrounder Shane Watson might have played his last one-day international for Australia after he was axed from the side that beat Afghanistan by a record 275 runs in the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday.

Watson, 33, has been an automatic selection by Australia, but struggled in the first two matches against England (duck and 0-13) and New Zealand (23 and didn't bowl).

Watson has only one half century in seven games this year, and has paid for the team's strength in depth at his third World Cup.

Australia picked allrounder James Faulkner instead at the WACA ground, and retained fledging allrounder Mitchell Marsh alongside him.

"Watto handled the decision well," skipper Michael Clarke said. "He has been fantastic around the team today. He's taken it really well."

When asked about Watson's future, Clarke said: "It is up to the selectors to make that decision."

Australian chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said dropping Watson was a tough call.

"But it's one we thought we had to make, because in Shane's last 10 one-day games, he's got 220 runs at an average of 22," Marsh said.

"Unfortunately he's been getting starts, but he hasn't been going on with it.

"We had to fit James in, and someone had to go."

Twitter seemed to react postively to the news that Watson was dropped.

First the word was that Mitchell Marsh was being dropped by James Faulkner, which angered the Watson haters.

Then when it became official that struggling Watson was missing the game, the Tweets began to flow.

Has there ever been more happiness from cricket fans for a player being dropped from the side? #Watto

— Jackson Fry (@JacksonFry1) March 4, 2015

Poor #Watto said no one ever!

— Paul Standish (@P_Standish) March 4, 2015

Watto's gone. #AUSvAFG #WorldCup2015 pic.twitter.com/lO1IiJBfA0

— Geoff Hutchison (@GeoffHutchison) March 4, 2015

Australian cricket fans today #AUSvAFG #watto pic.twitter.com/g0bYYoQXYb

— Dean Smith (@deanwsmith) March 4, 2015

Watto's back at the hotel putting together an emotional little ballad about today's events #AUSvAFG #CWC15 #dropped pic.twitter.com/9PiOUWBAPW

— Joe Moore (@joedmoore1979) March 4, 2015

Faulkner made just seven in his innings as Australia reached 417 for six from 50 overs.