Flat wickets, back-to-back Tests and a heavy workload appear to have taken their toll on Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson, who is in doubt for the fourth Test against India at the SCG due to a hamstring complaint.

Johnson was absent from the Australian’s training session on Saturday and his condition will continue to be monitored in the lead up to the Sydney Test, starting on Tuesday.

Johnson has bemoaned the lack of pace and bounce in wickets prepared for the three Tests against India so far and has admitted it has affected his pace.

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Australian captain Steve Smith said his bowlers were cooked in the aftermath of the drawn MCG Test, when he called an end to proceedings four overs early.

Johnson appears to be the worst affected, with Ryan Harris’s niggles under control.

Harris has declared himself a certain starter at the SCG, but the make-up of the Australian team has been further clouded by the injury to Johnson.

Mitchell Starc looms as a probable replacement if Johnson has been ruled out.

But left arm finger spinner Ashton Agar has been drafted into the Australian squad, in an indication the home side could look to play two spinners if the wicket looks like it will take spin.

However early indications are there could be a little bit of the grass left on the wicket.

Curator Tom Parker has opted to use wicket No.6, which has been used sparingly for Test cricket over the last decade.

The last time the strip was used for a Test, was when Australia beat South Africa by eight wickets in 2006.

Australia cruised to victory in that match, easily chasing down the Proteas’ fifth day victory target, scoring 2/288 with Ricky Ponting scoring 143 no and Matt Hayden 90.

– AAP