Australia vice-captain Shane Watson is considering playing as a batsman only and will discuss the idea with selectors after next week's third Test against Sri Lanka.
Watson, who will miss the Sydney Test starting on January 3 because of a calf injury which worsened during this week's second Test in Melbourne, felt some soreness before the match but was not rested despite Australia's policy of showing caution with players who are nearing the burn-out stage.
Watson has admitted he felt a niggle in his calf following the first Test in Hobart earlier this month, where he bowled 47.4 overs in the match after swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus broke down during the game with a side strain.
It was Watson's highest-ever tally of overs.
The vice-captain's latest injury means he will have only played three of Australia's six Tests against South Africa and Sri Lanka this summer and it also leaves skipper Michael Clarke without a deputy.
"There was some consideration of it (resting Watson)," Cricket Australia's high-performance chief Pat Howard said on Saturday.
"But it was looked at as a collective. He's multi-skilled and can bring more than a couple of attributes to the game.
"When we talk about players missing a game or managing their workload, a lot of this is around young fast bowlers and looking after them is a pretty core principle of what we're trying to do."
Australia had rested left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, who was fighting fit and in-form.
Starc was very disappointed, but he will be recalled for the Sydney Test on his home ground as Australia chases a 3-0 sweep against Sri Lanka.
"He (Watson) had a niggle, so did a lot of guys, but it did get worse during the Test match," Howard said.
Watson did not bowl in Sri Lanka's second innings.
"I am certainly doing some thinking about what my prospects are moving forward, with my bowling especially," Watson told the Nine Network.
"I have to sit down with the hierarchy and work out the best way to manage things so I can put some cricket together for a period of time."
Watson added he especially wants to get some continuity as a batsman.
"The selectors have been very keen on having people who are multi-skilled across the board," Howard said.
"If Shane or anybody wants to be a batsman only, well somebody else has got to be able to take up the overs."
Uncapped Victoria all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been named in Australia's 13-man squad for the Sydney Test in place of Watson.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted December 29, 2012 11:40:00
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