Watson and Lee make injury progress

Positive news has been a rare commodity within Australian cricket this season, but the recovery of Shane Watson and Brett Lee from injury is prompting cautious optimism. Watson, struck down with back stress fractures during the Test series, will target the Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales beginning February 26 for his competitive return.

The Queenslander will initially play as a batsman only and steadily increase his bowling workload with an eye to the Indian Premier League and, ultimately, the Ashes. Watson's most recent incarnation in the Australian one-day side has been in the role of opening batsman, and the 27-year-old was hopeful - though not presumptuous - that selectors might consider him for a batting role in the one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"I'm not sure which way they will go," Watson said. "The best case scenario is that they pick me as a batsman [against Pakistan], but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.

"I'm looking to the IPL to get in some competitive bowling. I'm slowly building up the workload. I've kept things pretty light in the early stages - a bit of pilates and some general fitness work - and I'll start running again in the next week."

Lee was described by his agent, Neil Maxwell, as being two weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery from ankle surgery, and is on target to make his comeback in either the IPL or the one-day tour of Pakistan.

Stuart Clark (elbow) and Phil Jaques (back) will continue to play grade and state cricket. Provided his elbow continues to improve, Clark is certain to earn an automatic recall for the Ashes. Jaques has fallen behind his New South Wales opening partner Phillip Hughes in the pecking order of opening batsmen.