Bailey confirms Johnson is fit for ODIs

Australia stand-in ODI skipper George Bailey is delighted to have fast bowler Mitchell Johnson back in his arsenal, after the veteran paceman recovered in time from a rib injury, which had kept him out of action for weeks.
Australia stand-in ODI skipper George Bailey is delighted to have fast bowler Mitchell Johnson back in his arsenal, after the veteran paceman recovered in time from a rib injury, which had kept him out of action for weeks.
Johnson was a doubt for the ODI series against Pakistan, which starts in Sharjah on Tuesday, but Bailey confirmed that the rest and rehab had done the trick, and that Johnson was firing on all cylinders during training ahead of the series.
Bailey said after the one-off T20 victory, on Monday: "He's been training, building up his loads. He should be good to go.
"He's nice to have. He adds something that little bit different. The beauty of Mitch is that he does something very few people in the world do.
"It's a real strike weapon for us. He can get something out of a wicket that no one else can. In many respects that's when he's at his best.
"He can change a game quickly. He can get you back into a game quickly. I think particularly in these conditions he will be very valuable."
One paceman who won't be ready for the ODI series is Mitchell Marsh, who picked up an injury during the Champions League T20. He is not in a race to be fit for a potential Test debut, tipped to replace a hurt Shane Watson.
Bailey added of Marsh: "There's a Test spot sitting there waiting for him, so I know that will be the focus to get him right for that.
"I can't imagine that he'll be risked for ODIs unless he's 100 per cent ready to go. So there's probably that one spot up for grabs at the moment."
Latest
-
News
Sam Curran hopes IPL commitments do not get in way of England duties
The 22-year-old was rested after January’s tour of Sri Lanka and spent a week in quarantine after arriving in India on February 26.
-
News
Women’s snooker stars Reanne Evans and Ng On-yee offered professional tour cards
The agreement has been hailed as one of the most significant days in the history of women’s snooker.
-
News
What next for England following the Test series defeat to India?
The tourists head straight into the white-ball leg of the tour which begins this week.
-
News
Chris Silverwood admits Jofra Archer elbow problem may need long term management
The England fast bowler was unavailable for the second and fourth Tests of the series against India due to pain in his right elbow.
-
News
How England’s players rated in their Test series against India
See how the England players rated during the series defeat.
-
News
England storm to T20 series whitewash over New Zealand
Wicketkeeper Amy Jones completed three stumpings and Katherine Brunt took two for 19 in England’s 32-run victory.
-
News
Joe Root promises England will learn lessons from India rout
An innings defeat in Ahmedabad rounded off a 3-1 series loss.
-
News
India v England, day 3: Tourists left in a spin once again as series slips away
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel continued their outright domination of England and helped seal a 3-1 series win.
-
News
England left to lick their wounds as India condemn them to another defeat
Joe Root’s men had no answers.
-
News
More woe for England as India’s spin twins push hosts towards series victory
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel claimed three wickets each as the tourists slumped to 91 for six at tea.