Watson said he had been “wrestling with the decision” for a while but it was the right time for a change for him and the team.

The allrounder’s decision follows a disappointing tour in India, scoring 99 runs in three Tests at 16.50 and continuing a lean run of form over the past two years where he has made 627 Test runs at 24.11 without scoring a century.

Watson, 31, was sensationally dropped for the third Test and served a one-match ban after failing to prepare feedback on how the team could improve and deliver it to management. Three other players were also axed.

He made it clear he felt the punishment was overly harsh and, at the time, said he would be considering his future, with Saturday’s announcement likely to be met with questions about whether he walked or was pushed from the role.u00a0