Australia give Watson more time

SYDNEY, Nov 20 (Reuters) Australia all-rounder Shane Watson will be given more time to prove his fitness to play in the first test against England starting in Brisbane on Thursday.

Watson, who damaged his hamstring playing for Queensland last week, ran laps for around 45 minutes and bowled a few deliveries in the nets off a short run-up before undergoing further scans today.

The 25-year-old's injury is not as serious as first thought but he is still a major doubt for the first test and will train again on Tuesday before a decision is taken on whether he is able to make his fourth test appearance Watson will be replaced by batsman Michael Clarke if he fails to prove his fitness, with Stuart Clark likely to win the third seam bowler's spot alongside Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.

Middle-order batsman Damien Martyn, who missed Western Australia's game against Queensland on Friday to rest an elbow injury, is not considered a major doubt for the first test.

Reutes AY GC0945