Watson zeroes in on international return

Shane Watson will kick-start his bid to keep his Australian career alive when he again returns from injury this weekend for Sutherland in Sydney grade cricket.

Watson retired from Test cricket in September after suffering a calf injury in the one-day international series against England.

He was struck down by the same issue last month in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, ruled out of the NSW Blues' final after scoring 132 runs in five innings at an average of 33.

The 34-year-old didn't bowl during the tournament. Watson still has designs on representing Australia in limited-overs cricket and believes he is well placed to do so after a much-needed break.

"I got back into running this week. I know the break that I have had even after the Matador Cup made a huge difference for me, to be able to freshen up," Watson said.

"To have a proper holiday with the family for the first time for three or four years ... that alone has really re-energised my soul. I haven't had a chance previously to have any time off like that."

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Watson last played on October 18 and will return against Hawkesbury on Saturday at Glenn McGrath Oval.

Australia will play India in the Victoria Bitter ODI series starting on January 12 at the WACA.

He has no regrets about his Test retirement and says the hunger still burns to play for Australia again.

"Absolutely that hunger is still there as strong as ever," Watson said.

"There is no doubt at the back end of the Ashes where I was at; mentally all the emotion of trying to deal with everything that was in and around the Ashes; everything that happened over that last 12 months had really taken its toll.

"I am excited as I have ever been to get back into playing again."