Mitchell Johnson: I am back to full pace
Saturday 27 June 2015 17:06, UK
Mitchell Johnson has warned England he is back to bowling at full pace ahead of the Investec Ashes series.
The Australian seamer took 3-42 on Friday on the second day of their tour game against Kent.
Johnson admits his speed has dropped in recent months but feels he is back to his best in English conditions.
He told Sky Sports: “I felt like I had dropped a little of pace throughout the West Indies [tour] and in the IPL.
“It wasn’t too much of a concern for me.
“I was really excited about getting over here and playing in these conditions.
“I know the ball swings here in overcast conditions. It was nice to get out there and let a few rip.”
Johnson, who was England’s main tormentor with 37 wickets in the 2013-14 Ashes series, added he does not believe the 5-0 victory for the Aussies last year will impact this summer’s showdown.
He said: “It’s been a little while, England have some few fresh faces. Some of their players playing pretty well and it’s been a long time since we played them.
“It’s nice to have that mental edge but once that first ball bowled it’s a new game.”
Kent resumed the day 304 runs behind the tourists with five wickets left in their first innings after Rob Key hit 87.
And the veteran batsman, who smashed 15 boundaries, said England have to be positive when facing the Australian bowlers.
Key said: “The problem is they’ve got Johnson at one end and Ryan Harris really seems to get it through as well.
“They all hit the bat hard. Peter Siddle does not miss a length at any stage. They’re a decent attack and it’s a real challenge.
“When you play Australia you have got to look to score. Players that seem to do well always look to score, like Michael Vaughan...in 2005 England went at the bowlers.
“Any opportunity you have to take as they’re not going to bowl you bad balls.”
