A freak foot injury could cause Mitchell Johnson to miss the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba
The left-arm paceman had scans on his left foot on Tuesday before the
Australians flew home after the two-wicket win over South Africa in the second Test.
"His availability for the first Test match against New Zealand will be determined after these assessments are complete.
Johnson suffered the injury while batting after his foot got caught in the footmarks he created during his stints at the bowling crease.
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The mishap occurred during
Australia's record fourth-innings run chase at the Wanderers.
Johnson was on 12, and Australia 6-243, when the struggling quick hit leg-spinner Imran Tahir to deep point and immediately hobbled and struggled to make the non-striker's end.
It initially was suspected Johnson had a pebble in his boot or a spike had pierced it, but the pain persisted and at times the 30-year-old was clearly under duress as he played shots on one leg.
Skipper
Michael Clarke is hopeful Johnson will be available for selection given in-form quick Ryan Harris (hip) and allrounder Shane Watson (hamstring) are already battling injury.
"I'm not sure what's happened with his foot. I haven't even had a chance to speak to Alex (Kountouris) yet," Clarke said.
"Hopefully it's not too bad. Hopefully it's just bruised or he's twinged something."
Of equal concern is Johnson's horrendous form with the ball.
While he batted brilliantly in Australia's second-innings run chase, scoring 40 not out, Johnson is struggling to take wickets.
He claimed just three scalps at 85 in the two South African Tests and has 13 wickets at 57 for the year.
Even if cleared of serious injury, he may yet face the axe.
Debutant hero
Pat Cummins is a certainty for the Gabba Test, while Harris is hoping to be fit.
Clarke praised Johnson for "an enormous amount of courage" in modifying his run-up mid-Test in Johannesburg as he tried to recapture his wicket-taking form.
"I thought he bowled really well without much luck," Clarke said. "I dropped a catch off him as well, which doesn't help, and then he scores two 40s, which really wins us the game.
"Mitch, touch wood, he's never missed a Test match through injury.
"He runs in for you at every opportunity he gets.
"He's one of the hardest triers you'll ever see.
"Yes, he needs wickets. He's not hiding behind that fact, but if he continues to bowl like he bowled in this Test match and he continues to keep trying to get better, he'll keep having success. Everybody goes through it."
