Australia have made one change for the fourth Test against India, with Mitchell Starc replacing injured paceman Mitchell Johnson in the XI that played in Melbourne.

Australia skipper Steve Smith has confirmed his team for the SCG clash, Starc earning the final berth ahead of Peter Siddle and Ashton Agar.

Smith admitted Johnson “probably” would have played in Sydney if the series was still alive.

“He’s got a little hamstring strain. I think there’s no secret there’s a pretty big summer coming up,” Smith said.

“We want him to be fresh for the one-dayers and World Cup coming up.

“We don’t want to risk him.”

Smith said Shane Watson should be right to play, despite being ill on Sunday.

Australia hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series, having reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy in Melbourne.