Shane Watson optimistic about Michael Clarke's fitness ahead of test series against India

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is optimistic of Michael Clarke being fit for the tests series against India, even though he would be honoured to stand in as the caretaker captain.

Australia is sweating on Clarke's hamstring injury ahead of an important three months of cricket on home soil, which includes the four Tests against India, and also the 2015 ICC World Cup, which will be co-hosted with New Zealand.

All rounder Watson, who has had more than a few injury problems of his own in recent years, said that he had spoken to Clarke and the prognosis for the injury was improving, The Dawn reported.

Watson said that the diagnosis is better than what it was initially, which is a great thing, adding that it's all very positive. He said that everyone's got their fingers crossed.

Hopefully, he said that over the next week or so it'll continue to improve really well and Clarke would be right for the first test.

Watson was the stand-in captain last year in India when Clarke missed his only Test, after replacing Ricky Ponting as captain in March 2011.

Watson, who himself is on a comeback trail, after missing half a year of international cricket due to injuries, said that his focus was on proving himself worthy of a recall to the Test side.

The all rounder should get his chance in the remaining three ODI's against South Africa, in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The series is tied at 1-1.