Johnson removes doubt over Ashes fitness

Mitchell Johnson has trained strongly ahead of Wednesday's potentially series-deciding game six in India, removing fears he was in doubt for the Ashes.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson has trained strongly ahead of the potentially series-deciding game six in India. (AAP)

Injury doubts surrounding Mitchell Johnson's Ashes availability have been allayed, with the fast bowler training strongly in Nagpur on Monday.

Fears were raised after it was announced during commentary of Sunday's domestic one-day final between NSW and Queensland on Sunday that the former Bulls paceman had picked up a side strain in India which would put him in doubt for the Ashes.

But Johnson completed a long fieldwork session on Monday morning before bowling strongly in two stints in the nets, erasing any concerns he was in doubt for game six of the one-day series on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old bowled at full pace for half an hour in 30C conditions, before having a bat and coming back for another 15-minute spell towards the end of the session.

"He bowled fast enough for me not to want to go into his net, I can tell you that much," offspinner Xavier Doherty told reporters after the session.

"I had the option (of going into his net) and I chose not to.

"I faced the spinners for 20 minutes.

"There's no (fitness) issue with Mitch."

Johnson is available for selection for the potentially series-deciding clash, and Doherty said he excepted Johnson to be included.

Australia leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, but following washouts in Ranchi and Cuttack the tourists need just one more victory to seal the series.

Johnson is Australia's leading wicket-taker in the India series with five and has looked menacing, regularly clocking over 150km/h while intimidating the Indian batting line-up with accurate short balls.

His form in India, following on from a successful ODI tour of England, have drawn praise from Test champions Glenn McGrath and Michael Hussey - and have him in line for selection for the Ashes-opening Gabba Test on November 21.

Doherty said the left-armer had been the player of the series to date.

"From my point of view he's been the standout from both teams," Doherty said.

"He's the guy that we go to anytime we need a wicket or to restrict those runs.

"He's got that extra pace - he's 10-15 kms quicker than anyone else playing in this series.

"On wickets with any sort of grass he's a real weapon for us.

"I know there's been a lot of runs scored and a lot of big scores, but from my point of view Mitch has been man of the series so far for me."

Australia will already be without injured foursome James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and Pat Cummins for the start of the Ashes.

All have back injuries, with Pattinson and Bird expected to be fit for the later Tests.

Australia's squad for the first Test will be picked on November 12.


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Source: AAP


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