Johnson left out of Australia’s T20 squad for Proteas tour

Johnson left out of Australia’s T20 squad for Proteas tourSydney, Sep. 28 : Experienced Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been left out of the national T20 squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, while Victorian batsman David Hussey loses his spot in the one-day lineup.

Young fast bowlers Patrick Cummins and James Pattinson have won selection in both squads, while rising all-rounder Mitchell Marsh claimed a berth in the T20 lineup, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Australia play two T20s against South Africa on October 13 and 16, with the three-match limited-overs series kicking off on October 19.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Doug Bollinger had been preferred to Johnson in the T20 squad.

"Mitchell has struggled in this format of the game to date. Most Twenty20 internationals have been at the start of tours and Mitchell has not always been at his best in these matches. Obviously, Mitchell has a great skill set for Twenty20 cricket and we are sure he will put a lot of pressure on us to pick him in the future in the Twenty20 team," Hilditch was quoted, as saying.

Hussey paid the price for not taking his chances in the limited-overs squad during the recent tour of Sri Lanka, with his spot going to David Warner.

"David''s form has been irresistible recently and he deserves this opportunity in the one-day squad," said Hilditch.

The Australian squad to play two Tests against South Africa will be announced early next month.

T20: Cameron White (captain), Shane Watson, Doug Bollinger, Patrick Cummins, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Stephen O''Keefe, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

ODI: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, Doug Bollinger, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Steven Smith, David Warner. (ANI)