Related News
Clarke denies rift with Watson
Source: AFP |
November 22, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIAN skipper Michael Clarke yesterday denied any rift with vice-captain Shane Watson as the all-rounder was ruled out of the second test against South Africa.
The captain stressed there was no communication breakdown with his deputy ahead of the Adelaide Test.
Clarke said he was aware of rumors suggesting he and Watson were failing to see eye-to-eye, but added that both senior players had a good personal and professional relationship.
"I know there's been talk of that being a little bit different," Clarke said. "(But) not at all. We have a great relationship. Watto and I, our friendship and our professional relationship when it comes to captain and vice-captain, is as close as I can certainly ask for."
Senior batsman Ricky Ponting warned this week against playing a not fully fit Watson, saying it would place too much pressure on his teammates if he was used against the Proteas while injured.
"No one can go into a test match 70 percent fit," Ponting told reporters on Tuesday. "I don't care if you're a batsman and a slip fielder. If you can't bat at 100 percent, then you are putting pressure on other blokes as well."
Watson has been troubled by a calf injury and tried this week to prove his fitness after missing the drawn opener in Brisbane earlier this month.
The captain stressed there was no communication breakdown with his deputy ahead of the Adelaide Test.
Clarke said he was aware of rumors suggesting he and Watson were failing to see eye-to-eye, but added that both senior players had a good personal and professional relationship.
"I know there's been talk of that being a little bit different," Clarke said. "(But) not at all. We have a great relationship. Watto and I, our friendship and our professional relationship when it comes to captain and vice-captain, is as close as I can certainly ask for."
Senior batsman Ricky Ponting warned this week against playing a not fully fit Watson, saying it would place too much pressure on his teammates if he was used against the Proteas while injured.
"No one can go into a test match 70 percent fit," Ponting told reporters on Tuesday. "I don't care if you're a batsman and a slip fielder. If you can't bat at 100 percent, then you are putting pressure on other blokes as well."
Watson has been troubled by a calf injury and tried this week to prove his fitness after missing the drawn opener in Brisbane earlier this month.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
