Mitchell Johnson Replaced by Mitchell Starc for SCG Test
Steve Smith said Monday that paceman Johnson, who has a hamstring strain, would "probably" have played at the Sydney Cricket Ground match beginning Tuesday had the four-Test series been in the balance.
Australia have made one change for the fourth and final Test against India on Tuesday, confirming that injured bowler Mitchell Johnson has been replaced by Mitchell Starc. (Phil Hughes' family to attend SCG Test)
Skipper Steve Smith said Monday that paceman Johnson, who has a hamstring strain, would "probably" have played at the Sydney Cricket Ground match beginning Tuesday had the four-Test series been in the balance. (SCG to honour Hughes with bronze plaque)
"I think there's no secret there's a pretty big summer coming up," Smith said. (Kohli's selection dilemma ahead of SCG Test)
"We want him to be fresh for the one-dayers and World Cup coming up. We don't want to risk him." (Why Dhoni's absence could hurt India at SCG)
Johnson, 33, who bowled long spells during the first three Tests against India, had some right hamstring soreness during the Boxing Day Test and had not fully recovered since then, CA physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said on Sunday.
Starc's confirmation in the team puts him ahead of Peter Siddle and Ashton Agar who had been included in the squad.
Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last week after India hung on for a tense draw in the third Test in Melbourne. Australia won the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane.
Australia - David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.