MUMBAI, India, IANS/CMC – Mumbai Indians have signed up West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith as cover for left-arm Australian seamer Mitchell Johnson, who has been ruled out with an injury.
Johnson has failed to recover from the surgery on his big toe which he injured during the Test series in South Africa last year.
Mumbai Indians said that Smith would join the squad today.
“Mumbai Indians have signed West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith as replacement for Mitchell Johnson,” a Mumbai Indians statement said.
“The Australian fast bowler was ruled out to play IPL by Cricket Australia due to injury.”
The right-handed Smith played for Mumbai Indians during the inaugural edition of the IPL and represented Deccan Chargers in the next two tournaments, but failed to secure a contract for this year’s competition.
Smith has been one of the Windies leading Twenty20 players in leading months, stroking a fabulous 63 against Australia in the second game of the two-match series in Barbados last month.
Earlier this year, he recorded his maiden Twenty20 century with an unbeaten 103 for Khulna Royal Bengals in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Mumbai Indians face Pune Warriors on Thursday at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune.