Published: Sep 25, 2014, 04:02 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 04:02 PM (IST)
Sep 25, 2014
Michael Clarke sent a strong reminder to the Australian team prior to the tour of Pakistan in UAE as the importance of having Shane Watson in the team. Unfortunately, the all-rounder would be missing the tour due to a recurring calf-injury, which he suffered last month in Brisbane as Australia gear up for a busy cricketing schedule in the next 12 months.
With Watson unavailable, this opens the door for all-rounder Mitchell March, as the 23-year old looks forward to the tour of Pakistan and also the possibility making his Test debut. James Faulkner too is on the radar of being selected for the Australian Test squad, reports cricket.com.au.
Clarke urged the teammates not to get demoralized due to Watson’s absence and tinted the importance of the all-rounders for the action-packed cricketing months ahead, as their depth would prove to be crucial for the tour of India, the ICC World Cup 2015 and also the Ashes in UK next year.
Clarke said, “Being an all-rounder is extremely hard on your body and the amount of cricket over the next 12 months is going to be tough on Watto, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner and all the all-rounders who get an opportunity.”
“I think Watto’s (Watson’s) batting and bowling (makes him) a huge part of our team. He’s obviously got some stiff opposition now as well. I’ve loved having him in our team. He’s destructive with the bat and his bowling is extremely accurate. His greatest challenge is to try and stay fit and healthy. We also need to understand and respect that he’s pushing his body to the max being a batter and a bowler. There’s going to be injuries for the rest of his career, as there will be for … all the all-rounders. I think if he can get himself fit and healthy, he’ll certainly play a lot more Tests, one-day cricket and Twenty20 cricket for Australia.” he added.
With the tour scheduled to begin from October 22 with the 1st Test, Clarke himself is unsure for the tour as he himself is battling an hamstring injury. Physio Alex Kountouris is monitoring him closely and helping him to recover quickly so that he is confident enough to take the field and earn Australia their third consecutive Test series victory.
“I’ve got a fair bit of time between now and (the first Test) so my goal is to keep Alex happy. If he’s smiling then I know I’m three-quarters of the way there. It’s about listening to what the experts have got for me to do and me trying to get it done.” he quoted.
