SA Footy

MITCHELL Johnson is back in Australia's one-day squad for next month's one-day tour of England.

Johnson was today included among Cricket Australia's 15-man one-day squad to take on England in June and July, while Ed Cowan will captain a 17-man Australia A squad a month later.

"We will have to be at the top of our game to go to England and beat them on their home soil but we've selected a strong squad and believe we have the ability to win this one-day series," National Selector John Inverarity said.

"Steve Smith has been rewarded for his late season form. He has come into strong contention for the Australian ICC World Twenty20 squad to be named in August and the NSP is keen to have him in the set-up in England as the reserve batsman, noting that his leg-spinners would provide good variation to our attack.

"Mitchell Johnson has also been included in this ODI squad. He, also, is in strong contention for the ICC World Twenty20 and needs to be in the set-up and have some quality competitive cricket leading into this. The NSP is looking forward to Mitchell being reinvigorated after being out of the game for six months.

"We are also excited about the return of Pat Cummins and we are looking to ease him back into the team. He will not be expected to play in all of the eight scheduled games.

"Peter Forrest, Mitchell Starc, Dan Christian, Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill have not been included in this squad."

bays09 wrote:Christian out, really struggled with his hitting, thought his bowling was good and fielding sensational

Craig McDermott to step down as Assistant Coach - Bowling

Cricket Australia today advised that Craig McDermott, the Assistant Coach – Bowling to the Australian men’s cricket team is to step down from the role.

Speaking about his decision, Craig McDermott said: “It has been a very difficult decision to leave my position as the bowling coach of the Australian cricket team, a job I have thoroughly enjoyed since beginning 12 months ago.

“However the team’s schedule is a particularly busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view.

“It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period and we have achieved much success. The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stocks has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of.

“While I have agreed to provide input through Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence, I am looking to continue my coaching career in a context that allows me further flexibility and will be looking to explore a range of options. I am certainly not ruling out being involved with the Australian cricket team in the future should that fit within the team’s requirements.

“For now though, I want to thank Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur for the opportunity and wish them and the team every success over a really exciting next 12 months of cricket.”

Head Coach Mickey Arthur paid tribute to McDermott’s contribution: “Craig has done outstanding job since taking over the role and without doubt will be very difficult to replace. As the Australian public and cricket world has seen, Craig has taken our fast bowlers to another level and his skills and experience will be sorely missed around the group.

“However we completely understand and respect Craig’s decision. The international schedule is a particularly busy one and family must always come first. We wish Craig the best and really hope he can be involved with the team at some point in the future,” Mickey Arthur said.

Media Park wrote:As long as Smith and Johnson aren't playing, we'll be alright.

Jim05 wrote:

Media Park wrote:As long as Smith and Johnson aren't playing, we'll be alright.

Would take Mitch over Christian any day of the week

Jim05 wrote:

Media Park wrote:As long as Smith and Johnson aren't playing, we'll be alright.

Would take Mitch over Christian any day of the week

Bluedemon wrote:will the games been shown on fox?