Johnson, Watson to fly back home

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson will fly back home ahead of the inconsequential seventh One-Day International against India in Mumbai on Wednesday to take adequate rest and get ready for the gruelling international schedule.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson will fly back home ahead of the inconsequential seventh One-Day International against India in Mumbai on Wednesday to take adequate rest and get ready for the gruelling international schedule.

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Andrew Hilditch, chief of Australia's national selection panel, said in a statement that after consulting the medical and coaching staff, Cricket Australia (CA) took the decision of sending the two players back home at the earliest.

"Mitchell and Shane will return home to Australia to commence preparation for the Test series beginning in Brisbane on November 26," Hilditch said.

Hilditch said the decision was taken in view of the extremely heavy workload shouldered by the duo since the Twenty20 World Cup 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.

Australia have already won the seven match series.