Reports of Michael Clarke missing Australia’s entire series against India on home soil are overblown according to Shane Watson.
After Cricket Australia team performance boss Pat Howard all but ruled out Clarke from next month’s four-Test series earlier in the week, Watson came out Tuesday backing the Australian captain to make a return ahead of the December 4 opener in Brisbane.
“I’ve talked to him about it. The diagnosis is, I think, better than what it was initially, which is a great thing,” Watson said. “It’s all very positive.”
Watson isn’t getting too excited over the prospect of acquiring short-term leadership duties should Clarke and vice-captain Brad Haddin fail to prove their fitness, instead joining sentiments offered by chief selector Rod Marsh on Monday backing Clarke to make a timely recovery.
“Everyone’s got their fingers crossed,” Watson said. “Hopefully, over the next week or so, it’ll continue to improve really well and he’ll right for the first Test.”
Watson captained Australia when Clarke missed Australia’s final Test in a 4-0 series loss to India in March last year, but has since fallen behind a number of other captaincy candidates.
“If Brad Haddin’s back fully fit, he’ll slot straight back in there,” offered Glenn McGrath. “If not, they’ve always earmarked Steve Smith as a future Australian captain.
“He captained NSW, I think he’s done a great job. I like the way he goes about it, his attitude and if given the opportunity I think he’ll do very well,” McGrath added.
Former Test star Michael Hussey is also confident of Clarke returning for the opening Test, but backed Haddin as the replacement.
“I still think Clarke is a chance, despite what everyone else is saying out there,” he said. “If not Haddin’s the vice-captain, he’s got the experience and the know-how,” he added.
Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.
