Clarke says ' prerequisite' for Watson to bowl to earn Test spot

Australian captain Michael Clarke has said selectors have informed him that it is a prerequisite for all-rounder Shane Watson to bowl in order to win back his Test spot.

The possibility the all-rounder may miss the entire three-Test series against South Africa, due to a calf injury he sustained at the start of the month, was given credence by Clarke.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Clarke said the issue of whether Watson was fit to play had to be considered in line with the message conveyed to him by selectors that they would not consider picking him while he was fit to bat but not to bowl.

The report mentioned that Clarke is no longer a selector, with that role being chiefly assumed this series by coach Lehmann and touring chief selector John Inverarity.

While Watson is an integral part of Australia's Twenty20 team, Clarke rejected the possibility he could be excused from the Test series to be right to bowl in the three-match Twenty20 series after the Tests, to best prepare him for next month's World Cup, the report added.