Shane Watson relinquished his No.3 spot in the batting order to Alex Doolan and was unable to bowl as Australia started an intra-squad clash under overcast skies at the Wanderers.
Doolan batted at No.3 in a brief centre-wicket session in Potchefstroom on Sunday, and was again first drop on Friday when Chris Rogers fell within the first half hour of the two-day hit-out in Johannesburg.
The 28-year-old saw off Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson’s lively opening spells, but lasted approximately an hour before he shouldered arms to a ripping James Pattinson delivery that kissed the top of off stump.
Shifting Watson down the order for next week’s first Test against South Africa has been mooted since George Bailey was dropped, and the allrounder’s current calf tightness has added more complexity to the debate.
Watson has been restricted to batting at training this week, and team management barred him from bowling on day one of their hastily-arranged fixture.
But coach Darren Lehmann and team doctor Peter Brukner fully expect the 32-year-old to send down some overs before the opening Test starts in Centurion on Wednesday.
“He won’t bowl today but will bowl again in the next couple of days, building up to the Test,” Brukner said.
“He’ll play in the game today and will be fine for the Test match.”
Lehmann, speaking on Thursday, dismissed any concerns Watson was nursing a more serious issue.
“He hasn’t bowled in the last couple of days, but he’ll bowl. He’ll be fine,” Lehmann said.
Watson was hampered by a recurring calf injury in 2012-13 and missed the final Test of the summer against Sri Lanka at the SCG.
But he played all 10 matches in the back-to-back Ashes series, overcoming hamstring and groin niggles to take part in the Brisbane and Sydney Tests respectively.
Speaking before the opening Test at the Gabba, Watson suggested the full-time appointment of Brukner had been a turning point in his injury-marred career.
He was particularly effusive about Brukner’s use of dry needling, a more aggressive form of acupuncture which releases the tension in tight spots.
“Previously with this sort of injury it has nearly put me out for the summer in the past,” he said at the time.
“It gives me confidence that if something does go slightly wrong, I’ve got more chance to come back.”
Watson was rested from the majority of Australia’s recent one-day series against England.
