The best social media reactions to Watson's axing
When news broke that Shane Watson will likely be dropped for the second Ashes Test, social media went into overdrive celebrating.
The majority of the Australian public have been calling for Watto's axing for years, and yesterday's reports came as music to their ears.
Check out some of the online banter:
The Barmy Army react to the news Shane Watson has been dropped. #ashes pic.twitter.com/6lr2RL7KrB
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 14, 2015
Suggestions Watto has been dropped for the second #Ashes have been met with tears and sadness pic.twitter.com/nwUT2zl1wY
— Matt de Groot (@mattdegroot_) July 14, 2015
So, Shane Watson has apparently been dropped from the Test team for the second #Ashes test. Evidently there IS a Christmas in July.
— Tiger Tex (@TigerTex1) July 14, 2015
Shane Watson dropped right as he was about to fulfil his potential.
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) July 14, 2015
Shane Watson is likely to be dropped for the second #Ashes test by Australia... pic.twitter.com/7sYEL04Uz7
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 15, 2015
Looks like everyone's wishes have come true as it looks like Shane Watson has been dropped for Mitch Marsh! #Ashes
— Rodney (@rodders05) July 14, 2015
Shane Watson dropped. He's called for a review of that decision. #Ashes
— James McKern (@jLmcKern) July 14, 2015
Sports parody blogger Andrew Pelechaty reckons it will make for a dull future for all the Watson haters.
"For some, Shane Watson’s axing from the Test team was inevitable and a chance for Mitch Marsh to cement his place," Pelechaty wrote.
"For others, it’s a lost opportunity ... for comedy.
"Accountant Paul Venn is the hard-working admin of the ‘Shane Watson is a Joke’ Facebook page. Venn has since deleted the page and has vowed not to watch the rest of the Ashes in protest."
However there were some who felt sorry for the much-maligned all-rounder:
Had to be dropped but I feel genuine sadness Shane Watson is one of sport's great unfulfilled talents. Worked v hard and unfailingly polite
— Ben Dorries (@Dorries_cmail) July 14, 2015
In another sport, Shane Watson would be the quintessential role player/6th man. Impossible expectations placed on him in Flintoff/Kallis era
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) July 14, 2015
After back-to-back dismissals via LBW in the first Test, Watson's dumping was always on the cards.
No wonder Watson keeps getting LBW.... #Ashes2015 pic.twitter.com/EfNq57YnzR
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 11, 2015
In fact, the calls to bring in Mitch Marsh were already coming before the first Test:
How does the Watson reaction compare to these other great social media meltdowns:
Best social media reactions to Malthouse sacking
Best social media reactions to Blatter resignation