Watson fit for 'deciding' third Test against Proteas

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has reportedly confirmed his fitness for the third Test against South Africa at Newlands as the visitors attempt to bounce back from its first defeat in six Test outings and clinch a series win over the world's top-ranked Test side.

Australia was made to pay for going into the second Test in Port Elizabeth with just three seamers, who laboured for 133 overs in a 231-run defeat.

According to Sport24, Watson, who missed the first two Tests when a calf strain left him unable to bowl, successfully came through a crucial training session on Thursday to confirm his fitness for the deciding third Test at Cape Town, beginning on Saturday.

Pleased at Watson's return, fast bowler Ryan Harris said that it would help the side having an extra bowling option in Watson, adding that it would remove some of the pressure from captain Michael Clarke and opener David Warner, who had to bowl Watson's overs.

The report mentioned that either Alex Doolan or Shaun Marsh, who scored heavily in Australia's victory in the first Test, would make way if Watson, who claimed 5-17 in his last outing at Newlands in 2011, returns as anticipated.

The report also said that Watson is expected to slot in at number six as Clarke and Steve Smith move up a spot even though he has spent most of his career batting in the top order.