Australian captain Michael Clarke says Shane Watson’s primary responsibility in the first Test will be to score runs.
The experienced allrounder is set for a limited role with the ball, but Clarke says Watson will be 100 per cent fit to bat, with running between the wickets not a great concern.
Watson is being spoken about as a crucial man in this Ashes series, batting at No.3 and contributing as a fourth seamer.
However, a hamstring injury has hampered his build-up to the Brisbane Test starting on Thursday.
Clarke, team physio Alex Kountouris and Watson himself have all stated that the allrounder will be able to contribute with the ball, but not at full capacity.
In the last Test he played at The Oval in August, Watson scored the first hundred by an Australian first drop since 2011 – and providing stability to the often-frail top order is his No.1 assignment for the summer.
Clarke said he expected Watson to be able to be at his best with the bat.
“I don’t think he’ll be at 100 per cent in regards to being able to bowl 25 overs in the first innings of a Test match but I think, as we’ve seen, Watto has improved every day,” Clarke said at his pre-match media conference on Wednesday.
“I’m confident he’ll be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball.”
Clarke said a final XI was yet to be determined, with a decision to be made on whether spinner Nathan Lyon plays or bowling allrounder James Faulkner.
Lyon is favoured to get the nod, with Australia rarely entering a Test match without a spinner.
“It’s a really good pitch. There’s pace and bounce for the bowlers and that includes spin,” Clarke said.
“Spin has had success at the Gabba because of bounce more than spin.
“But the Gabba is, in my opinion, one of the best Test wickets to bowl on because it does offer good pace and bounce. Your bowlers are always interested but, once you get in, it’s as good a place to bat as anywhere in world. I wouldn’t imagine the conversation is about conditions – it’ll be about picking (your) best XI.”