Veteran allrounder Shane Watson admits he’s only got himself to blame after being dropped for Wednesday’s 275-run mauling of Afghanistan at the WACA Ground.

Watson was forced to make way for the returning James Faulkner, and he faces a fight to break back into the squad for Sunday’s clash with Sri Lanka at the SCG.

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The 33-year-old has averaged just 22.3 from his past 11 ODI innings, and his form in the Test arena has also been patchy.

With Faulkner and Mitch Marsh now favoured at Australia’s premier ODI allrounders, Watson faces a fight to win back his World Cup spot.

But he’s not giving up hope.

“I believe in myself and my own abilities. If an opportunity comes along, I’ll be ready to go,” Watson said on Thursday morning.

“I know I haven’t scored enough runs, so I’ve only got myself to blame. That’s the way it goes.”

Marsh looked proppy during his three-over spell against Afghanistan.

But Australia skipper Michael Clarke said it was nothing more than an issue with Marsh’s shoes rather than a flare-up of his troublesome hamstrings.

“It was something to do with his boot,” Clarke said.

“I asked him if he was all right and he said, ‘I’m completely fine’.”