Feared pace bowler Mitchell Johnson was ruled out of the World Twenty20 with a toe infection on Sunday, dealing a blow to Australia’s hopes in the tournament.
Johnson cut his right big toe after the third Test win over South Africa and after infection set in, medication was unable to bring it under control, Cricket Australia said.
He will be replaced by fellow quick Doug Bollinger in Australia’s squad for the tournament in Bangladesh whose opening rounds get underway on Sunday.
“We have given Mitchell as long as we can but unfortunately his infection hasn’t responded to the treatment as quickly as we had hoped with swelling remaining in his toe and foot,” chief medical officer Justin Paoloni said.
“It is difficult to say how quickly the infection will take to resolve and due to the high risk of infection recurrence with a return to bowling we feel it is in the best interests of Mitchell’s health for him to continue to receive intensive treatment in Perth.”
National selector John Inverarity said Australia would miss Johnson as they bid to win the World Twenty20 for the first time.
“This is disappointing news as it was anticipated that Mitch would have a significant impact with his pace and menace,” he said.