Australia heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday when it was learnt that all-rounder Mitchell Johnson could yet play in the second ODI against India at Nagpur on Wednesday.
The pacer was initially ruled out of the match after sustaining an injury in his left ankle, but coach Tim Nielsen said there is a possibility that he may play.
"Mitchell Johnson woke up a lot better today morning than we thought he would be when we drafted him in the media release yesterday evening. So it is really pleasing to see him get up today and shine. We will see how he pulls up after the training session today but all the indications are that he might well be available tomorrow," Nielsen informed in Nagpur on Tuesday.
Australia's coach however confirmed that Brett Lee, who complained of soreness in his left elbow, and all-rounder James Hopes, who suffered a right hamstring injury, will miss the match.
"At this stage Mitchell is not completely out; Brett is probably out for one game and we expect Hopes to miss the next two games. It is part and parcel of the game," he said.
Nielsen said the injuries to his key players has caught the team unawares.
"It was a bit of scatter-bomb yesterday. I mean, I don't remember a team losing three bowlers in one day. It was unusual circumstance," he said.
Earlier in the day, Cricket Australia announced that New South Wales all-rounder Moises Henriques will join the squad as cover for Hopes, who is unlikely to be fit till the third one-dayer in Delhi.
"Our medical staff have now decided that while both Brett Lee (right elbow) and Mitchell Johnson's (left ankle) injuries have responded well to treatment, they will be severe enough to rule them out of contention for tomorrow's match," Australia's selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.
"With James Hopes' right hamstring injury being more serious and likely keep him out for at least the next two matches it is thought adding a standby player to the squad is a necessity.
"Given the most significant injury appears to be Hopes' hamstring we have taken this opportunity to add Moises Henriques to the squad until the completion of game four in Mohali, where we will again assess the situation before it is decided if he remains with the squad," he added.
Henriques will reach Delhi on Wednesday and join the Australian squad when it arrives there on Thursday.
