Indian batsmen, especially Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh can now heave a sigh of relief as the final ODI game at Bengaluru approaches.
Indian batsmen, especially Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh can now heave a sigh of relief as the final ODI game at Bengaluru approaches. Australian cricket board called off their strike pacer Mitchell Johnson from the tour of India to help him prepare for Ashes selection this Australian summer.
“Mitch has performed very well in India, however, we believe it is best for his preparation ahead of a busy summer to have him return home to increase his bowling loads in preparation for the Ashes Test window,” Cricket Australia’s general manager of team performance Pat Howard said in a statement to the press.
The left-arm pacer had been in a lethal form throughout this ODI series picking up 7 wickets on the way. The doubled pace with extra bounce left the Indian batsmen in a bimbo especially the southpaws. Aussie vice-captain and teammate Shane Watson described him as the ‘X-factor’ of the team.
“It’s important to get our match-ups right when we’re bowling against their batsmen. I think we’ve matched up really well. Mitch Johnson provides a big X-factor for us. There’s a couple of guys who aren’t as comfortable against the short ball compared to some of their other players as well”, said Watson.
With one eye on the Ashes, Oz are keen to get back the urn, from the clutches of their rivals England but having said that, with the decider at Bengaluru, could Bailey and co. miss the services of Johnson? Who can they replace him with? Australians have a ‘huge’ void to fill now.
With Agenies inputs
Photo: BCCI
