Australian skipper Michael Clarke has backed his deputy Shane Watson to step up and lead the side in case he misses out the fourth Test against India with a back injury.
"He (Watson) has my vote to take over the captaincy if I'm ruled out. If I don't pull up 100 per cent to perform at my best, I won't be putting my hand up for selection. And if that's the case, I am confident Watson would be embraced by the team in my place if the CA board appointed him as captain," Clarke wrote in his column for 'Courier Mail'.
Watson is being reunited with the team ahead of the fourth Test starting here tomorrow after he was dropped from the playing XI of the third Test in Mohali for not completing a presentation on team performance.
Watson went back home as his wife was due to give birth to their first child but returned back to join the team here for the final Test.
"He understands why the decision was made to stand down four players, himself included, after our loss in Hyderabad and is determined to hit top form. Whether it's Watto or me leading the team, there is plenty for us to play for in the final Test," he said.
The skipper remained a doubtful starter as he didn't take part in the training session at the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium today.
"I haven't missed a Test through injury since my debut in 2004 and I'll do everything to keep it that way ahead of the fourth Test. My back has been pretty sore since I injured it during a ground fielding drill before the third day's play in Mohali, and I'm not entirely sure how it will respond over the next few days.
"It's the same bulging disc issue I've battled on and off since I was 17 and the timing of this flare-up is obviously far from ideal," he said.
