Johnson dropped for second Test

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been axed from the squad on the eve of the second Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval beginning on Friday.

Skipper Ricky Ponting admitted Australia haven't confirmed who will come in for Johnson with Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger the two candidates to replace the 2009 International Cricket Council's World Player of the Year.

Johnson endured a horrid first Test in the Gabba finishing the match with 0-170, the first time in 39 Tests the paceman has failed to take a wicket, before dropping England opener Andrew Strauss on 69 before the skipper went on to smash 110 runs.

Ponting conceded Johnson is down on form and acknowledged the middle of a Test match isn't the ideal time to try and regain confidence.

"We haven't got an 11 yet, we'll finalise an 11 in the morning but Mitchell Johnson is out of the 12," he said.

"So we're down to the other quickies who are left and we'll decide on the final make-up of what the 11 is going to be in the morning."
The Australia skipper acknowledged conditions may play a part in who is ultimately called up to replace Johnson.

"I think they're all in pretty good touch so I guess we'll just work things out tomorrow morning," he said.

"I think we have to pick the best team for every conditions that we're confronted with through the summer, it's a simple as that. We have to pick the 11 players that are going to win us Test matches."

"We're all under pressure. Every international player that takes the field is under pressure to perform every day, it's as simple as that, that's the world we live in. You're expected to perform, you're expected to win games I'm expected to score runs and I'm expected to lead team well."

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