Tasmanian batsman Alex Doolan is within reach of his first Baggy Green cap after being added to Australia’s squad for the final Ashes Test as cover for all-rounder Shane Watson who remains under an injury cloud.

Watson received ongoing treatment for groin soreness during the fourth Commonwealth Bank Ashes Test in Melbourne even though he was able to bowl short spells in both innings and contributed a match-winning 83no on the final day.

But he was clearly hindered by the injury that forced him from the field on day one, and Doolan has been named in the revised 14-man squad released by the national selection panel this morning.

While a final decision on his fitness won’t be made until closer to the Test that begins at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Friday, Watson was hopeful of taking the field as Australia chases a five-nil whitewash when he spoke to Channel Nine immediately after he hit the winning runs at the MCG yesterday.

“I’m extremely lucky to have some great medical staff to be looking after me to give me the chance to be able to get out and contribute like I did after our first innings of bowling,” Watson said.

“Doc Brukner (Peter Brukner) his needling and Alex Kountouris and all the work that they’ve done over the last three days has given me a chance (to play in Sydney).”

Doubts also continue to surround the fitness of fast bowler Ryan Harris as he battles a chronic knee injury, with all-rounder James Faulkner expected to fill his role should he be ruled out of the New Year Test at the SCG.

Fast bowler Doug Bollinger, who along with fellow quick Nathan Coulter-Nile was added to the Test squad during the series as back-up for the incumbent quicks, has been released from the squad to continue his Big Bash League commitments with the Hobart Hurricanes.

Coulter-Nile remains in the 14-man Test squad.

Doolan was considered to be Australia’s number-three batsman in waiting after he scored an impressive, unbeaten 161 for Australia A last summer against a touring South African team that included top-ranked fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

The 28-year-old finished last season as the fourth-highest runs scorer in the Bupa Sheffield Shield, and scored a century for Tasmania in the reigning Shield holders’ first match of the season against New South Wales in October.

“With some players still being assessed by our medical team after four demanding Tests, we have decided to add Alex to ensure we have sufficient cover in our batting line-up should it be required,” head of the selection panel, John Inverarity, said today.

“Alex is a talented player who came under strong consideration for selection ahead of the Ashes series after a string of solid performances in four day cricket for Tasmania at the start of this season, but also after an excellent finish to last season and we feel those performances warrant his inclusion in the squad of 14 for Sydney.

“Doug, who has been bowling impressively this season, has been released to play Big Bash League as the NSP feels there is sufficient cover with James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile also in the squad.”