Mitchell Johnson is heading home from India to begin preparations for the AshesAustralia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is to be given every opportunity to press his claim for an Ashes berth by returning home from the limited overs tour of India.
While his team-mates head to Bangalore for the decisive seventh match on Saturday (2nd November), Johnson will fly home to focus on training for first-class cricket.
"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 General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard said.
Johnson played in the fourth and final Test against India in March this year but was not involved in the Ashes contest in England, despite having played in both 2009 and 2010/11.
His withdrawal from the tour of India comes on the back of news that England's third warm-up game will now be against an Invitational XI in Sydney, for which Johnson may well be in the frame.
To date, he has played 51 Test matches and taken 205 wickets at an average of 30.57. However, against England, he has taken 35 wickets at 34.42 with a best of six for 38, achieved at Perth in 2010.
© Cricket World 2013
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