da winzada777： Mitchell Johnson ended a Test he was not sure he would play in with anenhanced reputation and the hope India’s batsmen would see him as a threat for the rest of the series
Peter English in Melbourne30-Dec-2007
Mitchell Johnson was pleased to finish the MCG Test with three late wickets and he will continue to keep Shaun Tait out of the attack when the Sydney Test begins on Wednesday © Getty Images
Mitchell Johnson ended a Test he was not sure he would play in with anenhanced reputation and the hope India’s batsmen would see him as a threatfor the rest of the series. A mid-match chat with Troy Cooley, Australia’sbowling coach, helped Johnson achieve more swing in the second innings andhis burst of three wickets finished the game late on the fourth day.However, Johnson had to survive a close battle to appear on Boxing Day afterthe push for Shaun Tait grew when he replaced the left-armer for theChappell-Hadlee Series. Johnson’s variety and tight control, which was afeature of the home fast bowlers in Melbourne, were crucial elements asIndia were dismissed for 196 and 161.”There was a bit of concern there [about my spot],” he said after the teamhad completed a recovery session at a Melbourne beach. “It took me bysurprise, being dropped from the one-day squad.”While Australia’s spin options are limited, there is strength in thefast-bowling stocks and the back-up is led by Tait, who remained in the 12-man squad for the second Test. There will be no way infor Tait in Sydney after the 337-run win in Melbourne, but Johnson is stillnot feeling secure about his place. After 11 wickets in three Tests he hasmade a promising start and is safe for a couple of games at least. Johnsondelivered an immaculate line outside off stump at the MCG, which was theplan to frustrate the Indians into rash shots, and he gave away less thantwo runs an over.In the first innings he opened with five maidens to Rahul Dravid and afternot picking up any wickets or much swing he talked to Cooley. The upshot wasa straighter wrist position on day four and some dramatic movement. MS Dhoniand Anil Kumble were caught behind in the same over, setting up a speedyfinish, and Johnson was proud to seal the win by bowling RP Singh.”Getting three wickets was a bit of a relief,” he said. “In the firstinnings I didn’t have any luck, so it was good to get those wickets at theend and to get it reversing was a good sign.”Fourteen victims in the one-day series in India helped demystify the opposition and he was notintimidated bowling to Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid and Ganguly. “Hopefully theIndians are thinking about me,” he said. “I just tried to back myself andnot think about who was at the other end. Once you start to think about whoyou are bowling to and how good they are you might struggle a bit.”Australia squad Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Brett Lee, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait.