Johnson recovers to run with Bulls
Mitchell Johnson, who Dennis Lillee once rated as Australia's most exciting bowler since Brett Lee, has returned to the Queensland ING Cup squad for the first time in more than a year after recovering from back stress fractures
Cricinfo staff
11-Jan-2005
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Mitchell Johnson, who Dennis Lillee once rated as Australia's most exciting bowler since Brett Lee, has returned to the Queensland ING Cup squad for the first time in more than a year after recovering from back stress fractures. Johnson has benefited from the absence of Australia one-day players Andy Symonds, Matthew Hayden, Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Watson for the match against New South Wales at Telstra Stadium on Saturday.
Making his one-day debut last season, Johnson played two games before breaking down and was overlooked for a state contract when the selectors decided to monitor his recovery through grade cricket. Johnson, the left-arm fast bowler, was recalled after taking seven wickets and scoring 75 not out in the 2nd XI match against Western Australia last week.
Queensland need to win one of their three remaining matches to be assured of hosting the final at the Gabba on February 20. New South Wales have named James Packman, the 25-year-old Gordon batsman, in the place of Simon Katich, who is also on Australia duty.
Craig Philipson and Brendan Nash have been added to the Queensland squad for the corresponding Pura Cup game, starting on Tuesday, while the Blues have included the uncapped batsman Ed Cowans in their 12-man squad.
Queensland ING Cup Jimmy Maher (capt), James Hopes, Martin Love, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Brendan Nash, Wade Seccombe (wk), Andy Bichel, Nathan Hauritz, Ashley Noffke, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Jurgensen.
New South Wales ING Cup Brad Haddin (capt, wk), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Shawn Bradstreet, Stuart Clark, Ed Cowan, Phil Jaques, Jason Krejza, Stuart MacGill, James Packman, Matthew Phelps, Dominic Thornely.
Queensland Pura Cup Jimmy Maher (capt), Clinton Perren, Martin Love, Craig Philipson, Brendan Nash, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe (wk), Andy Bichel, Ryan Le Loux, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Hauritz, Joe Dawes.
New South Wales Pura Cup Brad Haddin (capt, wk), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Ed Cowan, Phil Jaques, Jason Krejza, Stuart MacGill, Greg Mail, Matthew Nicholson, Matthew Phelps, Dominic Thornely.