Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson will depart Australia's VB Tour of India.

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) announced that after consultation with medical and coaching staff Johnson and Watson will depart Australia's VB Tour of India as they continue to have their workload managed ahead of the upcoming Australian summer and the tour of New Zealand in March.

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: "In view of the extremely heavy workload shouldered by Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson since the ICC World Twenty20 in May 2009 and with the imminent start of the Australian summer which includes six Test matches in eight weeks, ODI and Twenty20 series against the West Indies and Pakistan and a tour to New Zealand early next year, the NSP has decided Mitchell and Shane will depart India as soon as possible.

"Mitchell and Shane will return home to Australia to commence preparation for the 3 mobile Test series beginning in Brisbane on 26 November and the program that follows."

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