Rather than sulk or seek solitude during his injury lay-off, Shane Watson has been mentoring fellow allrounder Moises Henriques in South Africa.
Watson faces a race against time to be fit for the second Test against the Proteas, which starts on Thursday in Port Elizabeth.
Australia thumped the hosts by 281 runs in the opening clash, thanks to Mitchell Johnson’s career-best Test match figures of 12-127, and need another victory to inflict South Africa’s first Test series loss since 2009.
Watson ran and batted in the nets on Saturday, as he recovers from a calf injury sustained two weeks ago.
Coach Darren Lehmann says the selectors will not make a call on Watson until they arrive in Port Elizabeth and assess both the pitch and his calf.
The 32-year-old has been working hard with team doctor Peter Brukner and physio Alex Kountouris to regain full fitness.
But he has also taken time to talk with Henriques about all manner of cricket subjects.
“I’ve known Shane for a long time now and he’s always been brilliant to me,” said Henriques, who was 12th man for the first Test.
“Ever since I was a teenager and right through to my age now, he’s always been willing to pass on any advice.
“Whether it be about rehab and recovery, bowling, batting or fielding.
“That’s also part of why I look up to him so much, because of how much he gives and tries to help my career.
“At no stage has he ever been patronising at all or anything like that, he’s only ever trying to help and I think it’s fantastic.”
Henriques suggested it was a similar case when fellow allrounder James Faulkner was in the squad.
“When James is around, he gets something similar out of Shane. He’s always trying to improve us,” he said.
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