India v Australia, DLF Cup, 3rd match

Johnson to return home

Dileep Premachandran in Kuala Lumpur

September 16, 2006

Mitchell Johnson left his mark on the DLF Cup © Getty Images

Mitchell Johnson, along with Mark Cosgrove and Phil Jaques, would be returning home. It had been decided weeks earlier that after the first two games - the Aussies arrived in Malaysia with a squad of 18 - these three would be sent back.

Johnson certainly signed off his second and last appearance in the DLF Cup with a flourish, finishing with 4 for 11 from four overs before the match was abandoned as the drizzle resumed.

The National Selection panel had apparently arrived at the decision even before the team left for Malaysia, and the team management was keen to emphasise that it was no reflection at all on the performances of the trio. Ricky Ponting admitted that it was disappointing that Johnson was heading home, but admitted that there was little he could do to reverse a decision that was made much earlier.

With these three gone Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey will be restored to the first XI for the match against West Indies on Monday afternoon.

Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo

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