Doherty backs Johnson for selection in Oz squad for 'series-deciding' Nagpur ODI

Australian off-spinner Xavier Doherty has said that he expected his teammate and paceman Mitchell Johnson to be included in the one-day squad for the potentially series-deciding clash with India in Nagpur on Monday.

Fears were raised after it was announced during that Johnson picked up a side strain in India which would put him in doubt for the Ashes, although he erased any concerns that he was in doubt for game six of the one-day series by completing a long fieldwork session on Monday before bowling strongly in two stints in the nets.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Doherty backed Johnson to be available for the Nagpur ODI, saying that although he had the option of going into the net against Johnson, he chose not to as Johnson bowled fast enough for him to remove any doubts about his fitness and availability for the game.

Stating that Johnson has been the player of the series to date, Doherty also said that according to him, Johnson is the standout player from both teams in India, adding that he is 10-15 kilometres quicker than anyone else playing in the ODI series and is a real weapon for Australia on grass.

The report mentioned that Johnson is Australia's leading wicket-taker in the India series with five and has regularly clocked over 150km/h while intimidating the Indian batting line-up with accurate short balls, and is a crucial part for Australia, who needs just one more victory to seal the series.