Australia Sweat Over Johnson, Watson Fitness

Australia could be going into their first home Test math of the season against New Zealand without fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson. The two suffered from injuries in their series-levelling wins over South Africa at Johannesburg.

Australia take on New Zealand in the first of the two Tests from December 1 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The Australian physiotherapist revealed that Johnson’s problem was with the main joint of his big toe in the left foot. He added, “The scans will be reviewed in the next 24 hours and he will also be assessed by medical staff at the WACA on return to Perth. His availability for the first Test match against New Zealand will be determined after these assessments are complete.”

Watson, who struggled through the Test match, and could not bowl for most part of the first innings and the entire second innings, however, did bat in both the knocks as an opener. He had earlier admitted that he may find it difficult to bowl in the Brisbane Test match even if he played.

He had a scan and it was announced that he will be monitored over the next few days before a decision will be taken on his availability for the first Test in Brisbane.

Johnson has other issues as well. He had a poor series against South Africa, ending with only three wickets in the two Test matches. With Patrick Cummins coming along well and others in the midst as well, Johnson could have even lost his place in the side had it not been for the injury to Ryan Harris before the second Test. However, his knocks of 38 and 40 in Johannesburg were crucial and probably the difference between a win and a loss.

Watson himself had a poor series with the bat and apart from scoring 88 in one innings, he made seven runs in the remaining three. He had a six-wicket haul in the first Test but his hamstring problem meant that he did not bowl too much in the second.