Australia all-rounder Shane Watson was left “shaken” after being hit on the head this week.

The former Hampshire favourite was struck on the helmet by a James Pattinson delivering during nets training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 33-year-old was preparing for the Boxing Day Test against India, for which he is now a doubt.

Pattinson's short ball floored Watson as he landed on his backside before slowly removing his helmet and walking out of the nets.

Following the incident, Watson – who helped Hampshire win the C & G Trophy in 2005 – was visibly shaken before being assessed by team doctor Peter Brukner.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said the dazed Watson was “shaken but otherwise okay” while vice-captain Brad Haddin later confirmed his team-mate had escaped unscathed.

He said: “I had a chat to him - he's a bit shaken, but he's okay.

"It's just getting hit in the head - he's just a bit shaken.

"He's shaken as anyone would be. I can't really go into any more details because there's no more details to give."

In light of Phillip Hughes' tragic death last month, Watson's knock underlined the heightened emotional reactions to batsmen being hit in the head or helmet at this time.

Watson was playing for NSW on November 25 when ex-Hampshire batsman Hughes was struck by the ball that led to his tragic death, and he spoke earlier this month about the difficulties he faced in preparing mentally for the Test series against India.

He said: “It's been the most challenging, mentally, couple of days I've had to go through in my career. Trying to process everything that happened, especially being there at the SCG.

“Some guys are a bit more affected than others, but every session we were out there you can see everyone starting to gradually find their feet and getting back to what we love doing. There's a lot of inner demons we've had to find our way through.”

The pressure is mounting on Watson to make runs during this four-match series which Australia now lead 2-0 - he has made 72 runs at an average of 18 in two Tests - and there will be more expectations on his broad shoulders given his fellow all-rounder Mitch Marsh has been ruled out of the third Test due to injury.

Australia take on India in Melbourne starting on Friday before the final Test of the series in Sydney from January 6.