SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Shane Watson of Australia bats during the International Twenty20 match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 31, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Shane Watson is aiming for a return to the playing field in early March, meaning Australia’s key Twenty20 weapon should be fit in time for the World Cup starting later that month.

Selectors want their quartet of stars currently under an injury cloud – Watson, Aaron Finch, James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile – to all play a part in the three-match warm-up international series against the Proteas in South Africa starting on March 4.

Watson will travel with the team to Africa as planned after scans cleared him of serious damage following a strained abdominal muscle suffered in the Pakistan Super League.

There were initial fears over the seriousness of the injury that forced him to withdraw from the tournament, however it’s expected the damage is only low grade and Watson hopes to return to batting and bowling within a couple of weeks.

Read more at HeraldSun.com.au