Mitchell Johnson has been dropped from the Australian squad for the second Test against England after failing to take a wicket in the drawn Ashes series opener in Brisbane.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting revealed on Thursday that Johnson had been omitted from the 12-man squad, leaving Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris vying for his spot.
"The selectors felt that he is just down on a bit of form and down on a bit of rhythm. I think that was probably highlighted in the last game," Ponting said.
"As we all know, the game of test match cricket is hard enough as it is without having to try and find those types of things in the middle."
Australia's starting XI won't be announced until just before the toss on Friday. The first Test in Brisbane ended in draw on Monday, with Australia only able to take one wicket in England's second innings despite having a commanding 221-run lead after the first innings.
England reached 517-1 against an ineffective bowling attack, with Johnson attracting much of the criticism after returning 0-170, dropping a catch and scoring a duck in Australia's innings.
Johnson has vowed to fight his way back into the Australia side. The left-arm quick has often been described as mentally fragile but the bowler insists his problems are purely technical and that he is confident of rediscovering his form.
"It's obviously disappointing but it's not the end of the world," Johnson said. "It's very hard to take in, as playing for my country is a big deal for me.
"There's a few things that I'll work on in the nets. Getting away from all the hype and getting in the nets is probably the best option for me instead of trying to work it in the game." Johnson added he had some frustrating moments in Brisbane "but mentally it felt fine."
"In the past if I didn't get wickets or struggled I'd have been getting my head down and yelling into my hat a lot," he said. "I thought I handled it pretty well. I need to keep working on my bowling and get everything together.
"I've come back from stress fractures and being dropped from the Queensland squad. I'm going to work very hard. A lot of players before me have been dropped and worked their way back in."
Tim Neilsen, Australia's head coach, is confident bowling coach Troy Cooley can get Johnson ready for the third test.
"Out there in the oval is no place to work on issues with your technique or form," Nielsen said. "We thought we'd take the right action now so he can hit the ground running for Perth, and we'll use every resource we can do to make sure he's ready for that game.
"We feel it’s important for Mitchell to stay with the team. He's an integral part of the bowling group and he'll play a big role in supporting the other guys." Ponting was confident that Johnson could return to form and play a part in the rest of the series.
"He has got a little bit of time now ... To hopefully rediscover some of that rhythm," Ponting said. "Everyone standing around the nets and watching him and watching him during the game last week realised he was a little bit off the mark and a bit off bowling the way that we know he can bowl."
Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger.