Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson could captain his country in Friday’s fourth one-day international against England in Perth amid doubts over the fitness of acting skipper George Bailey.

Johnson was named vice-captain of the squad this week when the selectors opted to rest captain Michael Clarke, his deputy Brad Haddin and former vice-captain Shane Watson from the fixture.

Bailey missed the previous game with a hip flexor injury and Cricket Australia’s website reported that the selectors are reluctant to risk him after he moved gingerly at training at the WACA Ground on Wednesday.

The injury has left the selectors casting around for captaincy alternatives. Johnson has precious little experience in the role and no fast bowler has captained Australia at ODI level, so it’s possible that either Watson or Haddin could be rushed to Perth to take the reins.

The other options are Sydney Sixers captain Steve Smith, but he was only drafted into the squad as cover for Bailey, opener and Melbourne Renegades skipper Aaron Finch, and Victorian captain Matthew Wade, who replaced Haddin in the squad.

The Sydney Morning Herald