Clarke says ‘batsman-only’ Watson would face bigger test for place in Oz team

Michael-ClarkeSydney, Feb 5 : Michael Clarke has claimed all rounder Shane Watson's decision to quit bowling and return to international cricket as a batsman would expose him to a much bigger fight for a Test berth.

Clarke said that at his best Watson, who will make his latest injury comeback as an opener in the one-day international against the West Indies in Canberra on Wednesday, was as good as any player in the world, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

However, the Australia captain also warned his deputy that he would need to perform to earn back his Test spot for the upcoming tour of India.

Clarke said he has told Watson that while he''s not bowling he goes into a much bigger pool of players.

Clarke added in regards to the pool of batsmen, it''s a much bigger pool than the pool of all rounders in Australian cricket at the moment, adding that Watson knows if he''s at his best, he''s as good as any player in the world let alone the Australian team.

Clarke said team's goal as a team is to help Watson get back to his best and hopefully that''s batting and bowling in time, but right now that''s batting.

Watson, who won the Twenty20 player of the year award, said that was only a minor consolation after a year in which soft-tissue injuries, most recently calf problems, have frequently sidelined him.

The all rounder won''t bowl at all in India, but hopes to resume all rounder status for the Ashes series against England starting in July. (ANI)