The 24-year-old, who impressed in the C&G Trophy final on Saturday, was not in Australia's original 16-man squad.

But spokesman Jonathan Rose told BBC Sport Australia had not ruled out the possibility of selecting players from outside the squad for the decider.

Watson said: "I would love to play in the fifth Test. It is the biggest in Australian cricket for a long time."

Watson scored a quick-fire 25 for Hampshire in the C&G Trophy final before taking 3-34 in eight overs.

Australia have based their tremendous success over the last decade on playing four specialist bowlers, with wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist operating as an all-rounder.

But Watson would add strength to the batting line-up and bowl some overs as well, which would mean Australia would be more happy to gamble on Glenn McGrath's fitness as they would be able to reduce his workload.