The lethal left-arm paceman was the star of Australia’s 5-0 Ashes clean sweep of the tourists with his express bowling, finishing with 37 wickets at 13.97. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Ashes man-of-the-series Mitchell Johnson will be rested from the opening One-Day International (ODI) against England to freshen up for the rest of the series, said Australia coach Darren Lehmann on Thursday.
The lethal left-arm paceman was the star of Australia’s 5-0 Ashes clean sweep of the tourists with his express bowling, finishing with 37 wickets at 13.97.
Johnson will miss Sunday’s opening one-dayer in Melbourne but will return for the second match at the Gabba on January 17.
“It’s obviously been a big summer for him so we will just give him a short break,” Lehmann told reporters.
“It’s about making sure he is fresh for the other one-dayers as well.
“It’s important that we put out the best side we possibly can but we have to understand it’s been a hectic five Test matches and some of the Test boys are getting a bit weary,” Lehmann added.
“Mitch will play in Brisbane definitely. It’s one of his home towns. We want them to play in their home state.”
It is likely that Test stars Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson could also be given matches off during the ODI series, the coach added.
The losing Ashes team from the past three series has bounced back to win the subsequent one-day tournament, including England in 2006-07 when they were also crushed 5-0 in the Test matches.
‘We need to keep the momentum going’
However, Lehmann wants his team to continue England’s winless tour.
He said Australia’s victory against England in the ODI tournament that followed the 2013 Ashes defeat had helped lay the foundation for this southern summer’s Ashes whitewash.
“England will be trying to do the same thing and they will be building for the World Cup,” he said.
“We have got to keep the momentum going because winning becomes a habit.”
Lehmann said strong performances in the five ODIs against England would count for something when selectors decide on the tour squad to head to South Africa on January 29.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2014.
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