MITCHELL Johnson has become the first casualty of Australia's inability to cut through in the opening Ashes Test match.
He has been replaced by Doug Bollinger for the second Test against England, beginning in Adelaide tomorrow.
Ben Hilfenhaus is also in line to make way for Ryan Harris as part of a rotation policy to preserve Australia's attack during an arduous Ashes campaign of five Tests in six weeks.
Skipper Ricky Ponting today confirmed Bollinger ‘s inclusion alongside Peter Siddle in the XI with a decision to be made on the morning of the match between Hilfenhaus and Harris.
Much will depend on how Harris's troublesome right knee responds coming through training.
Ponting says the workload of the bowlers was being considered as part of ongoing Ashes planning.
"That will certainly be spoken about and taken into account," Ponting told The Australian yesterday.
It has been 17 years since all 40 wickets have been taken in Adelaide, with most victories set up by a declaration, and two of the last three Tests there have been drawn.
Johnson has an outstanding Test record, but was by far the worst of the bowlers in Brisbane with match figures of 0-170, a duck and a dropped catch.
As Australia's hierarchy finalised its team for the Test, England was forced to practice indoors yesterday because an early afternoon rain storm, much to the annoyance of England's walking ego Kevin Pietersen, who sent out a furious tweet.
"what should a groundsman make sure he does 2 days out from a test match????"
"Cover the nets when it rains maybe???"
"PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!'
England officials did not react quite so strongly, with the South Australian Cricket Association reporting no complaint from the tourists.
"The ground staff made the decision to cover the centre wicket before the practice nets," a SACA spokesperson said.