National Selection Panel chairman John Inverarity says Australia will take a cautious approach with the return of injury-plagued all-rounder Shane Watson.
Watson's fourth month absence from the Australian team due to hamstring and calf injuries ended on Monday when the vice-captain was named in Australia's squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series matches against Sri Lanka on Friday and India on Sunday.
Although the move was overshadowed by the axing of Ricky Ponting and revelation that the former captain was considering retirement, the return of their leading one-day international run-scorer in 2011 is a huge boost.
Watson has played just one first-class match on the comeback trail, which saw him take 1-16 off 12 overs and register scores of 21 and 31 in New South Wales' massive Bupa Sheffield Shield loss to Western Australia.
Inverarity said because of Watson's lack of match fitness, Australia would ease the two-time Allan Border Medallist back into the side.
"He is inching his way towards full fitness," he said.
"Shane was happy to get through the game [against WA] though he would have liked to have made more runs. He was better in his third spell of four overs than the first two and looked a bit freer."
"It may be considered better to keep him there practicing with the team and then he plays in Sydney [on Sunday] rather than Hobart [on Friday]."
Inverarity said Watson would train in Perth on Monday or Tuesday before joining the Australian squad in Hobart on Wednesday, meaning he will miss the chance to gain more match practice by playing for the Blues in the Ryobi One-Day Cup game against WA.
The 30-year-old will be trying to prove through the remained of the tri-series that he's fit enough for the tour of the West Indies, which features five ODIs, two T20s and three Tests in March and April.
Inverarity also said WA's Liam Davis, who moved to the top of the Shield run-scorers list for 2011-12 with an incredible 303 not out against NSW, was in contention to go to the West Indies.
"Making 300 is not a frequent occurrence. His name will be considered," he said.
Meanwhile, Inverarity said the NSP had strongly considered T20 captain George Bailey, who has only played for Australia twice, for the CBS squad to give him more international experience in the lead-up to the 20-over World Cup.
"It is our intention that he captains the World Cup," he said.
"His form at the moment warrants very serious consideration. He is playing better than he has ever played in his life."