Johnson ruled out of SCG Test due to hamstring soreness

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson's hamstring soreness has ruled him out of the fourth Test against India that would start on Tuesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Johnson has delivered more overs than any other Australian quick in three Tests in the past month and his body is feeling the strain of an arduous campaign. Cricket Australia team physio Alex Kountouris said that the paceman had picked up the hamstring complaint during the third Test in Melbourne.

Kountouris revealed that Johnson had some right hamstring soreness during the Boxing Day Test and they have been closely monitoring the bowler's recovery since that match but feel that he has not fully recovered, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Kountouris said that as such, Johnson would not play in the upcoming Sydney Test match, adding that they expect him to recover in time to play a part in the upcoming tri-series against England and India.

Australia have two back-up pace bowlers in their 14-man squad for the Sydney match, which starts on Tuesday, with fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle joining Ryan Harris and Josh Hazlewood and they would now be jostling for a recall.

With the World Cup just round the corner the selectors would be reluctant to risk Johnson, world cricket's reigning player of the year, in the line-up as the series is already wrapped up at 2-0.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann said that Johnson is an important part of their plans for the remainder of their summer and they want him 100 percent right so they won't be taking any risks with the paceman.