Clarke backs Watson to be fit for Boxing Day

Michael Clarke is confident Shane Watson will play the Boxing Day Test despite the allrounder suffering a calf injury in addition to his existing hamstring tear. And Clarke believes that even if Watson cannot bowl, there should be a place in the side for him as a batsman only.

Watson was ruled out of the New Zealand series due to the hamstring problem, which he suffered while bowling during Australia's win in Johannesburg last month. It has now emerged that Watson has also acquired what Clarke described as "a light calf strain".

"It's probably put him a couple of days behind [in his rehabilitation] but we're still confident he'll be right for the Boxing Day Test match," Clarke said in Hobart, as Australia prepared for the second Test against New Zealand.

Australia are not only missing Watson's experience at the top of the order but also his valuable swing bowling. At the Gabba, Australia had to rely on the gentle medium-pace of Michael Hussey and in Hobart that will again be the case after the allrounder Daniel Christian was left out of the side.

Clarke said even if Watson was unable to bowl in the Boxing Day Test, which is two and a half weeks away, Australia would be likely to bring Watson, the vice-captain, back in for his batting alone.

"I think that needs to be discussed with the selectors," Clarke said. "I think his batting is still a very big part of our team, especially if he's opening the batting - up the top of the order he's been pretty consistent for us. If he's just batting I can certainly still see him in our team but best-case scenario I would love him to be able to bowl as well because he's had a lot of success with the ball, especially of late."

Watson was Australia's best bowler in the Cape Town Test, where his fuller lengths and ability to curve the ball in the air was the key reason South Africa were skittled for 96. Australia's bowling injury list is already worryingly long, with Pat Cummins unlikely to play a Test this summer, Ryan Harris recovering from a hip problem and Ben Cutting out until January with a side strain.