Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has been ruled out of the first Test against England [Images] starting in Brisbane on Thursday after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old injured the hamstring while bowling for Queensland last week and was ruled out after he was unable to bowl during practice on Tuesday, his training restricted to a few laps of the outfield with team physio Alex Kountouris.

"I've done everything I can over the last three days to give it a shot but unfortunately I was only a few days away," Watson told reporters at the Gabba.

"It's not a good feeling, it's something I've been working towards over the past six months. I feel my game has really improved and that I have earned this spot in the Australian cricket team." Watson, who will be replaced by batsman Michael Clarke [Images] in the Australian starting XI, said he hopes to be fit in time for the second Test starting in Adelaide on December 1.