Shane Watson took the centrestage in the practice session at the Ferozeshah Kotla today ahead of the fourth and final cricket Test against India starting on Friday.
Watson was dropped from the squad for the Third Test at Mohali for not preparing the presentation that was asked by the Australian Coach Mickey Arthur and the all-rounder had gone back home as his wife was due to give birth to their first child.
However, according to media reports, the rift between captain Michael Clarke and Vice-captain Shane Watson does not seem to be over as they were seen avoiding each other during the training session which was of two-and-a-half hour. “Clarke is having some serious back trouble is unlikely to play the final Test and because of this injury he didn’t even take part in the training session. Worst moment came when Clarke came to bat and Watson made his exit and they avoided every kind of contact with each other,” says a report in Deccan Chronicle.
According to the report, Watson did the batting practice for good 35 minutes and tackled both pace and spin bowling and was seen having a long-chat with Steve Smith. “Watson also had a short chat with coach who gave instructions to Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty to bowl a particular line to give Watson a good practice.”
Meanwhile, The Indian Express writes that while most of the Australian players were busy training at the nets, Watson alone, with the assistant coach, was seen taking slip catches inside the main stadium.
“Yes, Shane will take up the captaincy in case Michael Clarke is not fir, but at present Clarke is our captain. Mohali Test has raised the mood and hopes quite high and we are looking forward to come up with a power pack performance at Kotla,” says the report.
The one who impressed the most during the session was tall fast bowler James Pattinson, who was seen working up a lot of pace as he unsettled the likes of David Warner and Phillip Hughes. Pattinson is likely to replace Mitchell Starc who is sent back to Australia after his injury.
