Watson yet to get Oz selectors stamp for vice-captaincy

Sydney, Feb 15(ANI): Shane Watson is yet to be officially endorsed as Australia's vice-captain by the John Inverarity-led selection panel.

This doesn't mean he wouldn't resume the vice-captain role after he rejoins the Australian team.

Watson will make his first-class comeback on Friday with New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia in Perth.

His long absence due to hamstring and calf injuries has left him with a battle to regain his Test spot, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

It has also meant he could not be considered to fill the leadership void created by Clarke's short-term absence, as former captain Ricky Ponting was chosen for the role instead.

In announcing these changes, Inverarity did not raise the subject of Watson's leadership role, but said: "We look forward to Shane coming back into the squad. When he last played for Australia he was vice-captain."

Watson has never played in a team picked by the new selection panel, and so has not been rubber-stamped as its choice as deputy leader.

The new administration is suspicious of Watson's vulnerability to soft-tissue injuries, insisting on a slow return to top-level cricket.

Watson amassed as much as he could about tactical awareness and other aspects of leadership from Rajasthan teammates Shane Warne and Rahul Dravid during last year's Indian Premier League. (ANI)