Watson claims not sensed any 'division' between 'vital' Clarke and teammates

As the World Cup nears and Michael Clarke struggles to regain fitness to meet his deadline, all-rounder Shane Watson has claimed that he has not sensed any division within the team, as speculations emerged of a growing rift between the skipper and teammates.

Clarke's relationship with teammates has become a hot topic of discussion throughout a summer of injury dramas. However, Cricket Australia bosses James Sutherland and Pat Howard have both reportedly denied that discussions about dethroning Clarke as captain after the World Cup have taken place.

Clarke's rapid progress on the training park would suggest that the skipper is on track to lead his side in the showpiece tournament -barring another injury setback, News.com.au reported.

In Clarke's last Test as captain, he battled through extreme injury to score a memorable hundred in perhaps the most emotional Test match in the history of Australian cricket.

Watson claims that the vital skipper can't be criticised for his interactions around the team this summer. He said that he knows when he has been injured one does feel a bit separate from the group because they are not really around.

The all-rounder added that when guys are injured they always float in and around the team because it's their team as well, insisting that he knows the bowlers enjoyed Clarke coming along in Sydney and being able to talk tactics because the skipper is no doubt, one of the better tacticians in the game.

Watson insisted that he hasn't sensed any division within the team, adding that he knows all the guys have got their fingers crossed that Clarke would be able to come up for the World Cup.

Watson claimed that under pressure, Clarke absorbs it incredibly well and he's going to be a vital player in their team.