Under-fire Howard offers peace to Watson

Under-fire Cricket Australia performance chief, Pat Howard, has offered to make peace with the sacked Australian vice-captain Shane Watson who had hit back after the former questioned his commitment to the national side.

Howard, a former Rugby Union top official, had said that Watson acted in the best interests of the Australian team "sometimes", just after crisis hit the team following the sacking of four players, including the all-rounder, for breach of discipline.

More consternation came when he indicated there was strain between Watson and captain Michael Clarke by saying the two "have got to sort their issues out".

Howard's comments suggesting a Watson-Clarke divide were not received well in India with Clarke maintaining that his relationship with Watson was in good health.

Howard said he was willing to travel to Sydney at a time of Watson's choosing for peace talks.

"I'd like to go down there and see him when the opportunity presents," Howard said.

"But he only just got home. The offer is there and when he gets an opportunity that would be great," he was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

Howard said he had spoken to Clarke and to Watson's management.After arriving at Sydney airport and admitting he was considering his future in the wake of his axing, Watson had made clear his disappointment for putting in question his commitment to the team.

"Pat Howard doesn't particularly know me very well. He's obviously come from a rugby background and hasn't been in and around cricket for very long, so I think the best people to ask are the people I've played cricket with," Watson had said.