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Johnson rested from opening ODI with England

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AFP Sydney
Last Updated : Jan 09 2014 | 9:55 AM IST
Ashes man-of-the-series Mitchell Johnson will be rested from the opening one-day international against England to freshen up for the rest of the series, Australia coach Darren Lehmann said on Thursday.
The lethal left-arm paceman was the star of Australia's 5-0 Ashes clean sweep of the tourists with his express bowling, finishing with 37 wickets at 13.97.
Johnson will miss Sunday's opening one-dayer in Melbourne but will return for the second match at the Gabba on January 17.
"It's obviously been a big summer for him so we will just give him a short break," Lehmann told reporters. It's about making sure he is fresh for the other one-dayers as well.
"It's important that we put out the best side we possibly can but we have to understand it's been a hectic five Test matches and some of the Test boys especially are getting a bit weary," Lehmann added.
"Mitch will play in Brisbane definitely. It's one of his home towns. We want them to play in their home state."
It is likely that Test stars Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson could also be given matches off during the ODI series, the coach added.
The losing Ashes team from the past three series has bounced back to win the subsequent one-day tournament, including England in 2006-07 when they were also crushed 5-0 in the Test matches.

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First Published: Jan 09 2014 | 9:55 AM IST

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