Australian pace sensation Mitchell Johnson has reportedly been rested from the opening one-day international (ODI) against England on Sunday.
Johnson will link up with the Australian squad next week ahead of the second ODI in Brisbane on Friday, after getting some much-needed 'rest and recuperation' following his Man of the Series performance in the Ashes Tests against England this winter.
According to News.com.au, broadcaster Channel Nine has given its endorsement of the Cricket Australia (CA) move despite previous misgivings over leaving out star players Michael Clarke, David Warner and Matthew Wade from the first two one-day matches against Sri Lanka last year.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said that Johnson would not be the only player to earn a breather over the next few weeks, adding that the national selection panel will be looking to provide a break for most of the players in the ODI squad who played in the Tests against England.
Meanwhile, the Test players who were not selected in Australia's ODI squad will be released to their Big Bash League teams at various times over the next two weeks, the report added.
