HOBART, Dec 17: Shane Watson is in line to captain Australia in the second Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka after skipper Michael Clarke joined the home side’s injury list during the Hobart Test on Monday.

Clarke tweaked his right hamstring during the fourth day’s play and was forced to retire hurt on 57 after scoring his fastest Test half-century.

He did field in Sri Lanka’s second innings, but parked himself at slip to direct the team.

The skipper’s setback followed paceman Ben Hilfenhaus’s side strain which has prevented him from bowling again in the Hobart Test, though he did bat in Monday’s second innings.

Although there is no full diagnosis yet of Clarke’s condition, there was speculation that vice-captain Watson could lead Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the biggest day on the Australian cricket calendar.

“He [Clarke] is going off for an MRI scan. He’s done something to his hamstring and we’ll know the extent of that tomorrow,” coach Mickey Arthur said. “He’ll get all the treatment he needs. He’ll certainly get that tonight and he’ll get that tomorrow and between breaks... I think you’ll have to cut Michael’s leg off from him not to be out there.

“He certainly wants to marshal the troops and I think he certainly wants to be there if hopefully sometime tomorrow we can clinch a win.”

Arthur said if Clarke did not recover in time for the second Test, Watson was the obvious contender to lead Australia.

“It is a distinct possibility. I think it will be a really good challenge for Shane,” Arthur added. “We’ll learn a lot about Shane [Watson] and we’ll learn a lot about his leadership ability. I’m confident he’ll come through that very well.”—AFP