Injured Mitchell Johnson in race to be fit for IPL 2014

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson eyes a ball on Day 5 of the third Test match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Capetown on March 5, 2014

Mitchell Johnson’s toe infection, which ruled him out of the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh, caused swelling in his right leg and has cast doubts over his participation in the Indian Premier League starting next month, a Cricket Australia report said.

“Johnson is recovering from an infection that began in his right big toe, before affecting his right leg. He is being managed by a team of medical specialists,” the update reads.

“Depending on how quickly he recovers, Johnson’s next scheduled commitment is the 2014 Indian Premier League where he will represent Kings XI Punjab which finishes at the end of May.”

Johnson was bought by King’s XI Punjab for $1.15 million, and now faces a race against time to be fit before the tournament starts in April.

Johnson’s teammates Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Cameron White and James Faulkner recently posted this message for him via the ICC’s official twitter account:

Hey @MitchJohnson398 here's a message from @Gmaxi_32 @AaronFinch5 @CameronWhite152 @FaulknerC25 #wt20 #TwitterMirror pic.twitter.com/Pk9NeRUZBC

— ICC (@ICC) March 18, 2014

“Mitchell had a cut on his right big toe after the 3rd test against South Africa which became infected when he returned home,” Cricket Australia chief medical officer Justin Paoloni said last week.

“We have given Mitchell as long as we can but unfortunately his infection hasn’t responded to the treatment as quickly as we had hoped with swelling remaining in his toe and foot.”

He has already been replaced by Doug Bollinger in the national squad whose significant experience in the sub-continent was a factor in his selection for the World T20.