AUSTRALIA failed with an attempt to offer its most indispensable asset, Mitchell Johnson, a lucrative incentive not to go to the Indian Premier League this year, amid concerns he’s in danger of burning out before the Ashes series.

Fellow stars Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin were also offered contract incentives not to go to the IPL this April-May. Both players accepted and will instead use the eight-week window to rest.

Johnson, the most lethal fast bowler in the world, of course commands far more money than Harris and Haddin in the IPL and he understandably wants to cash in on his stunning career renaissance.

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But there are genuine fears the 33-year-old’s heavy workload over the past 15 months is catching up with him and he risks putting his career in jeopardy before he even gets to England.

Since day one of last summer’s Ashes in Australia, Johnson has delivered 655.3 overs (3,933 balls) in international and IPL cricket. That’s nearly 120km Johnson has sprinted, charging in off his long run, not to mention the incredible exertion on his upper body.

media_camera Mitchell Johnson has had a heavy workload over the past 15 months.

Johnson’s extraordinary workload is comparable only to spinner Nathan Lyon and he’s streaks ahead of the next quick, Harris, who has bowled 408.3 overs in the same time frame.

England spearheads Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad have also bowled far less than their sparring partner Johnson, who almost single-handedly engineered the Ashes whitewash with 37 wickets at 13.97.

Cricket Australia did not want its precious commodity to go to this year’s IPL, given the unprecedented demands of a jam-packed 12 month schedule that features an Indian Test series, the World Cup, a West Indies tour, an Ashes, a tour of Bangladesh and then another long home summer.

media_camera Mitchell Johnson has delivered 3,933 balls in international and IPL cricket since day one of last summer’s Ashes in Australia.

England effectively bans its players from the IPL as it falls at the start of their summer.

It’s hard to blame Johnson, when you consider the $1 million he picked up at last year’s IPL auction, but Australia’s spearhead is still taking a major gamble given the tournament’s history of stalling the careers of cricket greats.

Matthew Hayden did his achilles tendon in the IPL, missed a tour of the West Indies in 2008 and never scored another Test hundred before his retirement.

Brett Lee and Andrew Flintoff have both broken down at the tournament and Mike Hussey was so burnt out after playing one year he suffered a rare form slump that almost cost him his place in the Test side.

When fast bowlers pass 30 years of age, they enter the twilight zone, and although Johnson has gone to another level over the past year and a half, he can’t afford to take that burst in form for granted.

Mitchell Johnson's workload since first Ashes Test in Brisbane last summer: 37 matches, 602 overs (3,933 balls)

That’s nearly 120km Johnson has covered charging in off his long-run.

*13 Tests, 512.1 overs.

130 maidens, 78 wickets at 19.7 – with five 5 wicket hauls for an innings and one 10 for a match

*10 ODIs, 89.5 overs

14 wickets at 30.85

*14 IPL matches, 53.3 overs

17 wickets at 26 Others: *Nathan Lyon 691 overs

*Ryan Harris 408.3 overs

*Jimmy Anderson 563.3 overs

*Stuart Broad 507.4 overs *OVERALL:

Johnson lacked the same sizzling burst of energy against India that he possessed against England last summer, and he ultimately missed the fourth Test in Sydney just last week with a hamstring injury.

There is nothing surer than England preparing flat wickets to temper Johnson in the Ashes and by the time he gets there, he’s unlikely to be at his freshest.

Cricket Australia could always rest Johnson for the tour of the West Indies, which immediately follows the IPL and precedes the Ashes, but it’s always maintained that Test cricket for your country is the priority.

Resting Johnson from the West Indies might be smart management, but it’s a terrible look coming out of the IPL.

Of course this is a long way down the track.

First Johnson has to get himself back on the park during the one-day tri-series against India and England.

media_camera Mitchell Johnson seemingly lacked the same sizzling burst of energy against India that he possessed against England last summer. Picture: Annette Dew

The tournament starts on Friday in Sydney and Johnson won’t be there. He may also miss the second match on Sunday in Melbourne and looks more likely for the third fixture in Hobart on January 23.

Then there’s a whole World Cup for Johnson to get through, where he will be relied upon to deliver a historic triumph to Australia on home soil.

Cricket Australia receive some compensation for allowing its players to participate in the IPL, but there are moves to request more money in the future.

Shane Watson is one player who has seen the benefits of the IPL sparking up his career, and Johnson’s incredible run of late could be dated back to the 23 wickets he took in the 2013 tournament.

But Johnson needs to be careful he doesn’t take his body for granted.