Christian's spot safe for now as Clarke opts for light duties - Sports - Share.Dhangout.com

Christian's spot safe for now as Clarke opts for light duties - Sports - Share.Dhangout.com

Christian's spot safe for now as Clarke opts for light duties

SHANE WATSON is likely to get another opportunity to deputise for Michael Clarke today after the Australia captain failed to bat in training yesterday.

Clarke jogged laps of the MCG but was the only batsman in the Australia squad not to appear in the nets before this afternoon's finals-shaping match against Sri Lanka at the MCG.

The captain's long-term back problem flared in the loss to Sri Lanka in Hobart last Friday. That Australia are guaranteed a finals berth irrespective of today's result could sway Clarke and the other ors to instead aim for him to return in Sunday's first final in Brisbane.

Such a scenario could defer the tough decision on which player has to make way for Clarke, with all-rounder Daniel Christian a likely candidate because of the return of fellow all-rounder Watson.

Fit-again paceman James Pattinson was the only bowler to practise in the yesterday's optional net session. Pattinson, missing since the new year after suffering bone stress in his foot, came close to returning to the injury list when batsman Peter Forrest blasted a ball straight back that the paceman failed to catch in his follow-through.

The 21-year-old did not bowl again in the session, but after icing the injury joked with Forrest about the incident and then batted in the nets, seemingly unhindered.

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