Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood rested until ODI tri-series final

MITCHELL Johnson and Josh Hazlewood will be kept on ice until the one-day tri-series final, but there are no concerns over their fitness.

Mitchell Johnson during the Australian One-Day cricket squad training at the SCG. pi. Phil Hillyard

PACE firebrands Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood will be kept on ice until the one-day tri-series final, but there are no concerns over their fitness leading into the World Cup.

NSW duo Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins look set to spearhead the Australia Day attack at the SCG, with spinner Xavier Doherty also certain to play.

LOCAL CRICKET HAS MITCH MARSH SET FOR RETURN

If either Starc or Cummins were to suffer an unforeseen setback this morning, it would be squad extra Gurinder Sandhu who would likely come in.

Mitchell Marsh will make his long-awaited return from injury as an all-rounder, and batsmen David Warner and George Bailey are also back in the side after missing in Hobart.

Mitchell Johnson during the Australian One-Day cricket squad training at the SCG. pi. Phil Hillyard

Shane Watson is being rested for a second consecutive game due to hamstring tightness, while uncertainty still surrounds Johnson and Hazlewood — the Test stars who are yet to play a game this tri-series.

Both were nursing minor injuries after a taxing Test summer, but in a major boost to Australia’s preparations, those problems now appear behind them and their absence from Monday’s match is simply a judgment call by selectors.

Johnson — who has also had time away from the squad due to personal reasons — shapes as a certainty on home soil in Perth for Sunday’s final, while Hazlewood is also likely to feature in the decider to ensure he gets at least one full-intensity hit-out before the World Cup starts on February 14.

The electric pair have both bowled strongly the past two days, with Hazlewood sending down some terrifying bouncers to Australian batsmen yesterday in the nets.

Mitchell Marsh bowling for Western Suburbs in Sydney grade cricket. Pic: Mark Evans

Bailey said a half-hour session facing Johnson and Hazlewood on Saturday felt as though it went for “four hours.”

Johnson’s pace and explosiveness was down during the Test series, but captain Bailey says Australia’s No. 1 strike weapon is building nicely.

“I faced him last night and that’s never pleasant. His pace was still pretty good,” said Bailey.

“He’s going reasonably well. I don’t think he’ll play tomorrow. He’ll be building up for Perth.

“Knowing how excited the quicks get in Perth I think he’ll be pretty keen to have a crack there.

“(Hazlewood) has been as consistent as ever. It felt like his pace and rhythm was really good. He’s certainly keen to get back out there.”

Australian coach Darren Lehmann declared over the weekend that he already knew his best XI for the World Cup — but the players themselves are being kept on their toes to a certain extent, according to Bailey.

David Warner cools off during Australia’s training at the SCG. Pic: Phil Hillyard

Although Australia is likely to stick with a settled line-up wherever possible during the tournament itself, Bailey says versatility remains the side’s greatest weapon.

“One of our great strengths throughout the tournament is going to be our flexibility,” he said.

“I think we’ve seen that already.

“Having the flexibility to bring X (Doherty) in when it’s appropriate, using different quicks in different games … I’m glad the coach knows what’s going on but I think our great strength will be the fact that all 15 in our squad will be able to play a role at some stage.”

Bailey is looking for a more consistent effort from Cummins and Starc today, after they started poorly in Hobart and let England get off to a flying start.

“We’re always looking for a complete performance,” he said.

Originally published as Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood rested until ODI tri-series final