ST PETER’S (Antigua), April 8: Australia captain Ricky Ponting is eager to have the injury-prone Shane Watson back in his side at the World Cup, so important is the all-rounder to the balance of the reigning champions’ team.

The 25-year-old medium pacer and hard-hitting batsman sustained a calf muscle strain while bowling during Australia's 10-wickets Super Eights thrashing of Bangladesh last Saturday and missed Sunday's clash against England here at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The initial prognosis was that Watson would be available for the April 20 clash against New Zealand in Grenada — Australia's final fixture before the semi-finals should they, as seems likely, qualify for the last four.

But Ponting said he hadn't given up hope of Watson being fit to face 1996 champions Sri Lanka in Grenada four days earlier.

“The earlier we can have him back the better,” said Ponting.

“If we get him back for the Sri Lanka game that would be great but we'll just keep our fingers crossed and hope he keeps coming along well.

“I think originally everyone was hoping he'd be back for the New Zealand game. He's getting around OK now. I think his programme has been not to do anything at all, not for this first week and let it heal as much as he can.”—AFP