AAP Shane Watson has made an encouraging return from injury in a club Twenty20 match for Sutherland.Shane Watson has made an assured return from long-term injury, smashing 37 from 43 balls in a Sydney club Twenty20 match for Sutherland on Sunday.
The Australian allrounder has been out of action since stepping on a ball at a training session ahead of an ODI tour of Zimbabwe in August.
Originally it was an ankle problem which ruled him out of going to Harare, but it was a related calf strain which ruled Watson out of Australia's current tour of the UAE where they are facing Pakistan in Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20 fixtures.
Watson is not back bowling at this stage, but looked strong with the bat in Sutherland's loss to St George at Coogee and appeared to pull through the work-out unscathed.
There's an outside chance NSW may call upon Watson if they qualify for the domestic one-day cup final on Sunday, however it seems more likely the 33-year-old will be saved for NSW's season-opening Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at the MCG starting on October 31.
Watson's innings for Sutherland is a good sign for Australia with short-form cricket coming up against South Africa next month and a World Cup looming at the start of next year.
The injury-prone star is making a cautious return to full duties and at this stage is only bowling off a three-step run-up in the nets.
However, Watson is pushing towards a full return to training in the coming days provided he pulls up fresh from Sunday.
Watson faces renewed competition for his spot in the Test team, with Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner and Moises Henriques in the picture.
However, Henriques is set for his own stint on the sidelines after damaging his calf in NSW's loss to Victoria in last Friday's one-day cup game at Blacktown.