Early Return To Australia For Watson And Johnson

Early Return To Australia For Watson And Johnson

Shane Watson (left) and Mitchell Johnson (right) are heading back to Australia.

©Action Images / Reuters / Andy Clark Picture Supplied by Action Images

Australians Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson are to return to Australia ahead of the conclusion of the One-Day International series in India.

Australia have already sealed the series by moving into an unassailable 4-2 lead with one match to play and as Watson and Johnson have been playing international cricket without a break since June, Cricket Australia has decided to give the pair a rest ahead of the Australian summer.

"In view of the extremely heavy workload shouldered by Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson since the ICC World Twenty20 in May 2009 and with the imminent start of the Australian summer which includes six Test matches in eight weeks, ODI and Twenty20 series against the West Indies and Pakistan and a tour to New Zealand early next year, the NSP has decided Mitchell and Shane will depart India as soon as possible," Andrew Hilditch, Chairman of the National Selection Panel (NSP) said in a statement.
 
"Mitchell and Shane will return home to Australia to commence preparation for the 3 mobile Test series beginning in Brisbane on 26 November and the program that follows."

Australia also host Pakistan and travel to New Zealand this winter before heading off to the Caribbean in April and May for the ICC World Twenty20 before playing Pakistan and England in England in 2010.

© Cricket World 2009

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