InMobi

Refreshed Johnson reloads for WACA

Spearhead says he is recharged for World Cup assault but Watson out for for tri-series final

With the soreness gone, a refreshed Mitchell Johnson says he's ready to spearhead Australia's pace attack in Sunday's Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series final and the ICC Cricket World Cup.

However, Australian allrounder Shane Watson is likely to miss the tri-series decider against England, following their three-wicket win against India tonight as he continues his recovery from a hamstring complaint.

Johnson hasn't played since succumbing to hamstring soreness following the Boxing Day Commonwealth Bank Test.

The 33-year-old will return for Sunday's tri-series decider at the WACA Ground, and Johnson believes his short break from cricket will prove to be the perfect tonic ahead of the World Cup.

"I needed a fair bit of a rest," Johnson told reporters on Friday in Perth.

"It'd been a big 12 months personally, but for all the bowlers as well.

"The UAE (tour against Pakistan) was quite tough. We bowled a lot of overs there and then, coming into Australia, the wickets were a little bit flatter than we expected. There were a lot of runs scored through the Test series.

"The body now is fully recovered and ready to go.

"I'm feeling rested. I don't have any soreness there anymore, so I'm feeling pretty good.

"It's a big match to come into, but I'm as prepared as I can be. I've played a fair bit of one-day cricket now and I know what to expect. I'm looking forward to getting out there."

Mitchell Starc has starred in Johnson's absence, with the 25-year-old snaring 12 wickets in four matches to lead Australia to the tri-series final.

Australia's Bupa Support Team head coach Darren Lehmann confirmed late today that Watson was likely to miss Sunday's decider.

The Australia hierarchy is not prepared to risk the allrounder with the World Cup opener just 15 days away.

"I don't think he'll play, to be perfectly honest," Lehmann told Perth radio station 6PR this evening.

"Obviously Mitch Marsh will play for us I would think. We want to make sure everyone is 100 per cent before they play for Australia. If he's not quite right we won't play him."

Lehmann also backed Western Australia coach Justin Langer as his eventual successor.

Lehmann signed a 12-month contract extension with Cricket Australia in October that will keep him in the role until at least June 2017, but admitted the demands put a limited lifespan on the role.

"(Langer) should be v proud of what he's done in WA," Lehamnn said.

"We have a really united feel within the Australian coaching set-up now where state coaching is a very important part of what we're trying to do. We respect him very highly.

"One thing I do know is you can't do this job for a long period of time. You're away 250-300 days a year. It is the best job in the world, though, and one day JL will make a very good Australian coach."