Cricket: Johnson to mark out short run in to Cup

Australia's Mitchell Johnson, right. Photo / AP

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson will have just three games to be fit and firing for the World Cup.

Johnson, who has been sidelined over a month with a hamstring injury, didn't play in last night's Tri-Series one-day clash against India and will be saved for next week's final in Perth.

Johnson has not played since the Boxing Day test match but bowled strongly during Australian training in Sydney over the weekend.

Captain George Bailey said Johnson was raring to go but will be saved for the Tri-Series final which will be played on a bouncy WACA pitch.

That will give him just that clash and Australia's two warm-up matches -- against India at the Adelaide Oval on February 8 and the UAE in Melbourne on February 11.

Despite being without Johnson for the first three one-dayers against India and England, Australia have yet to lose. Bailey said the fact the side was still winning without some of their established stars boded well for the World Cup. "What's really pleasing is the way guys can seamlessly come in from outside the squad and immediately start performing."

Last night's clash at the SCG was marred by rain delays. At the time of going to print play had been stopped for the third time, with India struggling at 2-69 after 16 overs.

- AAP