Sydney, Oct 15: Australia's Test and one-day captain Michael Clarke has made it clear that Shane Watson, if fully fit, would play every game in South Africa.
''No, I certainly won't be resting him,'' The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying before heading to South Africa for the upcoming ODI and Test series.
He said that those who wanted time out needed to take it during breaks in the international schedule.
''The priorities are to represent your country and play for Australia. If any player needs a rest, they need to work that out during the IPL or over the Champions League and get that rest if they need it," Clarke stated.
''But, for me, this is our priority – to win every game we can for Australia and see Australian cricket continue to head in the right direction. If Watto's fully fit, he'll be picked for the first one-dayer, he'll be opening the batting and, hopefully, have a big hundred beside his name,'' he added.
The 30-year-old captain said that his need to rest, rather than an ongoing back complaint, was the reason behind taking a break while several of Australia''s stars were in India for the Champions League, and also for not playing for local club, Western Suburbs, in the Sydney grade cricket competition.
''I missed the cricket on the weekend… to allow my body to recover,'' Clarke said.
''I guess [it's] the same reasons I didn't go over to the Champions League. I think my body needed some time off, and my mind as well, some time away from the ground. But I'm feeling fresh, I'm looking forward to getting over there and getting back into some one-dayers,'' he added.
