Mitchell Johnson is a doubtful starter for the fourth Test beginning here on Tuesday. The left-arm paceman, who picked up a hamstring injury, did not turn up for the Australian practice session at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Given that the series is already decided, and the ICC World Cup looming, Australia might not be inclined to risk Johnson.
A hamstring injury is worrisome, and can often resurface. Johnson had said on Friday that he wanted to bowl in shorter spells.
Mitchell Starc, another left-arm seamer, has been drafted in as a cover for Johnson. The side also has Peter Siddle in the squad; he did not play the second and third Tests.
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It was a day when the Aussies, wearing pink caps, got together to support the Glenn McGrath Cancer Foundation. For many of them, it was an emotional return to the SCG, where Phillip Hughes met his tragic end.
All-rounder Shane Watson admitted it would be hard for the Aussies to play cricket at the SCG. He said: “It is the first time I have been back here since Phil’s (Hughes) funeral. It is a time that I wasn’t really looking forward to, coming back to the ground.”
He added: “But, in the end, I have been able to find a way to deal with what happened to Phil. I am sure once I get out into the middle, those visions will be coming back.”
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On his struggles with form — Watson’s place in the side is under growing scrutiny — he said: “I have been through a few different ways of dealing with it.
“I am very lucky to have a great support network around me to be able to talk through certain times when I feel like I am putting too much pressure on myself to perform. Darren Lehmann (Aussie coach), for example, has always been incredibly good to talk to about my game.”
Criticism of pitches
Meanwhile, there has been criticism from the local media about the pitches, particularly those in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Paceman Ryan Harris, too, gave vent to his feelings when he said: “I am not saying we should get ridiculously bouncy wickets. But we go to India and get absolute shockers over there, so it would be nice to get some green tops over here.”
“I don’t think the wickets have been as fast and bouncy. As a bowling group, we always want a bit more bounce and grass.
“That goes without saying. “That’s what we had last year, and that’s where he (Johnson) excelled.”
He added: “Johnson was able to do that because of, obviously, what Sidds (Siddle) and I were doing, but also the pace in the wickets. Not having that is probably a little bit frustrating.”