Change of heart ... Watson might return to India in a few days. Source: Stephen Cooper / News Limited
Shane Watson has cooled on retirement threats, with the all-rounder to make himself available for the Ashes and most likely the fourth Test against India starting next Friday.
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On Monday, an emotional Watson made the surprise claim he would consider quitting Test cricket as he came to terms with his gut-wrenching suspension for failing to take part in a peer review of Australia's performance in India.
But News Limited understands Watson will not walk away before the Ashes - and will take the first steps towards atonement by considering a return to India next week to prepare for the final Test in Delhi.
Watson was taken aback by CA high-performance chief Pat Howard's suggestion he is only a team player "sometimes".
But the 31-year-old's professional relationship with Howard, and his views on Australia's new cultural regime, have not degenerated to the point where he would seriously pull the pin on his international career.
Sources close to Watson say he is leaning towards playing in the fourth Test. He is likely to stay with wife Lee and their newborn son, Will, for three or four days, which would still give him time to be on deck for the final Test in Delhi.
While Michael Clarke has been forced to deny a rift exists with Watson, the Australian skipper has guaranteed his deputy will reclaim his spot for the fourth Test if he decides to play as expected.
Such is Clarke's hope Watson will return, the tourists have not formally named a vice-captain for the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
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Watson is set to have a two-week break for the IPL before steeling his body and mind for Australia's Ashes campaign, which begins in July.
Just before arriving in India, Watson told News Limited he was hoping to play international cricket into his mid-30s. That seems more consistent with his thoughts than the emotional comments that followed his shock dumping from the Test side on Monday.
"I have no idea how long I will last, but one thing I do know is with the injuries I've had I've missed a lot of cricket in the last 10 years. As long as I play cricket well I will continue to do it," Watson said.
"Physically my body hasn't had the load of what I would have had, mentally as well. I've had periods of time to freshen up and work on different aspects of my game, my batting and bowling.
"I realise life isn't meant to be easy. There are always things to challenge you and keep you developing as a person ... I'm not putting a timeline on how long I will play for because I love what I do."
Watson admitted it was important he had some downtime between tournaments, especially with the Champions Trophy to follow the IPL before an Ashes campaign.
"One part of it is trying to get the balance in my life really," he said.
"The mental aspect of things, being busy all the time, I have to find ways to mentally wind down and over the last few months with everything that has been going on, I was getting overworked and I've had to scale things down a bit.
"At this point in time in my career, I've missed a lot of cricket through injury so I feel I have some catching up to do with playing the cricket I want to play.
"When I'm fit I want to play because (with) my history, as well, you don't know how long you are going to be fit for so I want to play the games when I am fit and make the most of it.
"That's what I love most, is playing the game, so if there is a game on and I am fit I don't want to miss out."
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