Elbow infection can keep Johnson out of crucial tie against Bangladesh

Melbourne, May 5 (ANI): An elbow infection might keep left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson out of Australia's Group A clash with Bangladesh on Thursday.

Johnson left Wednesday's training session to have medical treatment.

Following 34-run victory over Pakistan in St Lucia, Australia need another win against Bangladesh or a narrow defeat to confirm their progress to the Super Eight stage in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Ryan Harris is likely to come into the side if Johnson is ruled out of the game at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, FOX Sports reports.

Team physio Alex Kountouris said the left-arm bowler's infection was in his right elbow in the skin around the joint of his right elbow.

"He could probably play if it was the World Cup final tomorrow, but there's a lot of the tournament to go. We just want to make sure we knock it on the head and get it right. It's not affecting his muscles or his joint itself," he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons has warned Australia that dropping their spinner for an extra pacer could backfire badly.

Siddons said the Kensington Oval pitch is going to favour the pacers more than in St Lucia, where fast bowler Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes and Johnson claimed eight wickets in Australia's win over Pakistan.

"It'll be quicker than most other wickets, definitely quicker than St Lucia. But it's also spinning and that will suit us," Siddons said.

The dumping of Smith for Harris seems a little unlikely, as it would weaken Australia's batting order and rob the bowling attack of some variety, the paper reports. (ANI)