Watson the latest worry for Australia

Keep up to date with all that's new around the world - read match reports and more from every international played

Shane Watson has provided Australia with another injury scare ahead of next week’s first Test against South Africa.

The batting all-rounder, vice-captain to Michael Clarke in the five-day game, managed just one over in New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Queensland before leaving the field to undergo scans on a sore left calf.

Shane Watson shows his disappointment at Allan Border Field today. Less than a week before Australia's first Test with South Africa, he is suffering soreness in his left calf

Watson strained the same muscle during Australia’s one-day tour of England earlier this year, and it was a calf injury that forced him to miss all of his country’s home Tests in 2011-12.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Ricky Ponting - another member of Australia’s preferred Test line-up - withdrew from a domestic fixture with Tasmania due to hamstring soreness.

Teenage paceman Pat Cummins, meanwhile, is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to a stress fracture in his back.

Cricket Australia had attempted to ensure Watson’s readiness for the series with South Africa by ordering the 31-year-old to return early from the Champions League T20, but their efforts have failed to prevent this latest setback.

Batsman Rob Quiney has been put on standby for Watson and will join the Test squad in Brisbane on Monday.