Johnson uncertain for 6th one-dayer

Guwahati, Nov 7 : Injured pacer Mitchell Johnson is uncertain to return to the Australian team as a depleted visiting side looks to wrap up the seven-match series in the sixth one-dayer against India here tomorrow.

Johnson, who had to take part in the last few matches with a niggling ankle injury, was rested during the fifth match in Hyderabad which the visitors won by a close three-run margin.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Johnson was one of a handful of players nursing sore bodies, despite his being rested for the last match.

Australia have called up uncapped New South Wales (NSW) paceman Burt Cockley and Victorian all-rounder Andrew McDonald to shore up their depleted squad, and Johnson's uncertainity will pave the way for both players to feature in tomorrow's match.

''We'll see how (Johnson) is, a lot of the guys haven't had the best sleeps last night to tell the truth, me being one of them, so we'll see how today goes and see how stiff and sore a few of the boys are,'' Ponting said.

''Macca (McDonald) has been over here with the Champions League and did a really good job for Victoria.

''His style of bowling on this sort of wicket would be very good, stump to stump and taking pace off the ball all the time, that's what you need on the slower, lower types of wickets. He’s been in good batting form too, getting a hundred in the Shield game and then 60-odd in the one dayer just before he left.

''Burt hasn't played a lot of late, but the last one day game he played he got 4-39 on a pretty low, slow North Sydney wicket.

''Both the guys who've come in will do well in these sorts of conditions,'' the 34-year-old Australian skipper said.

Five of the Australian players, inclusing strike bolwer Brett Lee, all-rounder James Hopes, fast bowler Peter Siddle among others, have already returned home after sustaining injuries during the initial matches of the series.

Despite a injury-ravaged side, the visitors now lead the series 3-2 and eyes to close it here tomorrow.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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