Watto admits he needs Shield warm-up

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson admits his bowling is not up to scratch ahead of the Test series with India and he needs this week's Sheffield Shield match for NSW to get much-needed overs under his belt.

Selected in the 12-man squad for the opening Test at the Gabba from December 4, Watson will make a rare appearance for his state against South Australia at the SCG starting on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old was looking forward to returning to red ball action after missing the recent Test series against Pakistan in the UAE due to injury.

"I am very fresh and that is the great thing," said Watson, who scored a classy 82 in Sunday's one-day international win over South Africa at the SCG to seal a 4-1 series victory.

"My bowling was not where I would like it in terms of consistency throughout this series, but that won't take long to get back.

"Hopefully by the end of the Shield game I will be where I want to be. This is the longest break I have had for a long time. It's just getting my body used to bowling again.

"My bowling speed is a bit down, but another week of bowling will get it back."

Watson said he's spent a long period of time working with his batting coach Mark O'Neill to eradicate the problem he's had with getting out lbw all too often.

"The process is not getting my pad out of the way, it's getting my head over my front leg," Watson said.

"That is the main thing I have been working on. Accessing the ball better. Not actually getting out of the way, getting my bat in front of my pad more than anything.

"I've been working hard to eradicate that (problem) and hopefully it will open up other parts of my game as well.

"I am very lucky to have an incredible batting coach to help me feel I am getting into good positions again."