Clarke added to Australian squad

Michael Clarke has been added to Australia's first Test squad as cover for Shane Watson after the allrounder picked up a hamstring injury. Watson is still to be assessed by Alex Kountouri, the Cricket Australia physiotherapist, but the selectors indicated they would not replace him with another allrounder if Watson is ruled out of the Ashes opener.

Watson strained his right hamstring while bowling in a domestic one-day game in Perth on Friday and was expected to arrive in Brisbane later on Saturday. Cricket Australia said it did not expect to know the severity of Watson's injury until Sunday. Clarke's inclusion indicates the selectors may opt for the extra batsman to bolster the batting line-up.

However, Watson has not given up hope of winning his fourth Test cap next week: "We just have to see how it continues to be over the next couple of days," he said after arriving in Brisbane. "I'll be doing everything I can to be ready for Thursday, but we'll see what happens."

Playing an extra batsman could also decide the bowling combination, with Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson in the fray. If Australia plays only four bowlers instead of the five Watson's inclusion would allow, the selectors might decide to choose someone who can deliver a number of steady overs, a fact that may favour Clark over Tait and Johnson.

Clarke, 25, played all five Ashes Tests last year, and scored 335 runs at 37.22. He lost his place in the Test team during the last Australian summer and regained it in Bangladesh in April, although he failed to seal his spot with scores of 19, 9 and 23 not out. Clarke looked in good touch against England for New South Wales in Sydney a week ago, when he made 50 and 68.