Australia duo rest amid burnout fears

Shane Watson, a star of the Champions Trophy, has taken on a greater workload since breaking into Australia's Test team

Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson will miss Australia’s final one-day international against India tomorrow and return home to rest ahead of the Test series against West Indies.

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel announced the move this morning in a bid to avoid player burnout.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: “In view of the extremely heavy workload shouldered by Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson since the ICC World Twenty20 in May 2009 and with the imminent start of the Australian summer, which includes six Test matches in eight weeks, ODI and Twenty20 series against the West Indies and Pakistan and a tour to New Zealand early next year, the NSP has decided Mitchell and Shane will depart India as soon as possible.

"Mitchell and Shane will return home to Australia to commence preparation for the Test series beginning in Brisbane on November 26 and the programme that follows."

Australia are 4-2 up against India going into tomorrow’s game in Mumbai.