Despite a miffed Shane Watson contemplating quitting Test cricket, Australian captain Michael Clarke on Wednesday expressed hope that the vice-captain would return to India for the fourth and final Test in Delhi.
After Watson and three of his colleagues — pacemen James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson, and batsman Usman Khawaja — were axed from the team for the third Test because of their failure to complete a task set by the coach Mickey Arthur, the all-rounder returned to Sydney.
But Clarke and Watson spoke on the phone after the latter landed in Sydney and the skipper said it would be the best-case scenario for Australia if Watson could return in time for the final Test in Delhi, which starts on March 22.
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“I think Watto has made it clear to everybody that that’s something he’s thinking about while he’s home.
“From my point of view he’s vice-captain of this team and he’s a big part of this team, there’s no doubt about that.
From the conversation Watto and I have had, 100 per cent he has gone home for the birth of his first child, which is very exciting for him. I know he’s really excited about that,” said Clarke.
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“Hopefully all goes to plan there, Lee has the baby in the next few days and Watto is back here playing the fourth Test as our vice-captain. That’s the best-case scenario from my point of view and from the team’s point of view. The rest is really up to Shane,” he added.