Australia’s qualification for the finals of the one-day tri-series with a game to spare may solve a selection conundrum ahead of Friday’s game with Sri Lanka in Melbourne.
Skipper Michael Clarke is expected to return for the MCG clash after missing Sunday’s 87-run win over India in Sydney with back soreness.
That would leave selectors with a hard call to decide who to drop after David Warner top-scored in Sunday’s clash and Shane Watson completed a successful return from injury.
Warner was considered the man most likely to make way for Watson at the SCG before Clarke was ruled out but his half-century made just as much a case for him to be retained as in-form batsmen Matthew Wade, Peter Forrest and David Hussey.
But with Australia secure to play in the finals, selectors could take the easy option and rest Clarke for the Sri Lanka match to give his back every chance to fully recover.
Watson said he didn’t know what would happen but he was ready to step into the captaincy role again if required.
“His back has recovered pretty well from Friday’s match so, with five more days to go, I’m pretty sure with the way things work out with his back he’ll be right to go on Friday,” Watson said.
“I’m not sure what the physio staff and Michael will talk about now, knowing that we’re in the finals but, whichever way Michael feels is the right way to go, I’m comfortable with it.”
One option if Clarke is selected is for allrounder Dan Christian to make way with Watson providing an additional bowling option.
Watson managed five tidy overs against India, claiming 2-9, and said he is ready to bowl as much as required despite having been out of the international set-up due to injury since November.
“I could’ve bowled the full 10, being captain as well I don’t want to over-bowl myself,” Watson said of completing just five overs against India.
“I knew, physically, I’d be able to bowl 10 overs if required.
“With so many bowling options at this point in time I’m probably not going to have to bowl 10 overs every single game.
“If I’m needed to then, physically, I’m capable to be able to do it.”
