SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Injury-prone Australian batsman Shane Watson said yesterday he is confident he will be fit for this month’s opening Ashes Test against England despite suffering from a hamstring problem.

The powerful all-rounder will have scans later today on what he believes may be a fascial tear, before discussing the results with Cricket Australia’s medical staff and working out how best to prepare for the Brisbane Test, which starts on November 21.

“It’s not too bad,” Watson told reporters at Sydney airport.

“I’ve had a few niggles like this even over the last eight or nine months, so hopefully it won’t be too bad at all or put me out for too long.

Asked if he had any doubts about whether he would be involved in the series opener, Watson said: “I’d never say ‘no doubt’ but I’ve been able to get on top of this sort of thing over the last eight or nine months with a few niggles that I had even throughout the (July-August) Ashes as well.”

Watson has had limited time off over the past eight months, with Australia’s busy playing schedule keeping him abroad for most of the year.

Hamstring injuries have been common for the former vice-captain — he missed the 2006-07 Ashes campaign with one — and there has always been a question over how to balance his workload as an all-rounder.