ST GEORGE’S, April 17: Shane Watson will know his immediate World Cup future when he was due to test his injured calf in a training session on Tuesday.

Australia have been debating whether Watson could wait to return in a high-pressure semi-final, but the preferred option is for him to be ready for their last Super Eights game against New Zealand on Friday.

After batting in the nets last week, Watson began running at the weekend and will need to prove he is on track.

Alex Kountouris, the team physio, said the goal was to have him ready for New Zealand.

“There are always risks with someone coming back from a muscle injury,” he said in the Sydney Morning Herald. “Playing him in a Super Eights game if we're already through to the semi-final would represent a lower risk than playing him in a semi-final or final.” —Agencies