MOHALI: Michael Clarke’s participation in the fourth and final Test against India was shrouded in uncertainty on Tuesday due to his sore back, which has opened up the possibility of vice-captain Shane Watson taking over the mantle in case the regular skipper misses out.

Clarke said if he is ruled out of the match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi, Watson, one of four players to be suspended on disciplinary ground ahead of the third Test, will lead the side.

“If I am unavailable due to my fitness, I don’t know.. I haven’t spoken to the selectors, but I would imagine that Watto will be the captain, that’s for sure,” Clarke said.

The injury flared up during the course of the third Test here which India won by six wickets to a winning 3-0 series lead.

On being suspended for failing to submit to coach Mickey Arthur a presentation on how to improve his and the team’s performance in the series, a furious Watson had left the tour in haste, preferring to be with his wife at the time of the birth of their baby.

But the equation between the all-rounder and the team management has improved over the past few days, with Watson flying back to India for the final game.

Asked about his back problem, Clarke said: “It is pretty sore, fortunately we’ve got a few days before the next Test so I want to spend as much time with physio Alex Kountouris I can to get it right.

“It is the same problem I’ve had since I was 17 years of age and I’ve been trying to manage it through my career. The next four days will be no different and I will have plenty of treatment and try to get it right.”

Clarke said he will do everything it takes to overcome the problem before the start of the Test.

“My fingers are crossed I will be doing everything I can to give myself the best chance. I guess I am always pretty positive, touch wood I haven’t missed a Test match due to injury so far in my career and I wouldn’t like this to be my first one. If I can’t perform at my best, if I feel I am going to let the team down, I won’t be taking the field.”

Clarke had been on and off the field many a times during India’s innings on Monday, leaving the responsibility to lead the side to Brad Haddin, who is in line to lose his place with regular wicket-keeper Matthew Wade recovering from an ankle sprain.—Agencies