da casino： He is no longer Australia’s opening bowler, but a new role at first-change has brought considerable success
Osman Samiuddin in Hobart12-Jan-2010
Mitchell Johnson: “I try to break those partnerships and that is one of the big things•Getty Images
Away from the limelight, Mitchell Johnson has quietly worked his way back from the horrors of the Ashes last year into something resembling his best form. He is no longer Australia’s opening bowler, but a new role at first-change has brought considerable success.With one Test still to go in the home summer, Johnson has picked up 28wickets almost unnoticed in five Tests against the West Indies andPakistan. Against the latter, he has bowled several critical spells,taking two wickets in the first over of the final morning at the MCG toset Australia on the path to victory and then two again in an over on thetumultuous fourth day at the SCG.”I’ve had a fair bit of time to think about it [being first change] andrecently it’s been on my mind a lot,” Johnson said. “To be honest I’mhappy where I am and it’s something I have learnt to do well. It probablystarted with ODI cricket, bowling first change and using those change-upsso it’s something I’ve had a bit of time to deal with. If I get theopportunity to bowl with the new ball again I will put my hand up. I’mhappy to do whatever is best for the team.”Through the West Indies series I was a little slow through the air. Iprobably wasn’t quite at my best. But sometimes you come up against thoseteams and you relax a little bit. But as they showed they are a quality side and we almost let them off the hook a little bit. And comingup against Pakistan we know how good they are. I guess I’ve stepped up inthe second half of the summer.”With 31 Tests behind him now, Johnson is the most experienced member ofthe attack and even though he no longer has the new ball, he remains thekey man. He is also reaching a period in his career widely regarded as thepeak years for a fast bowler.”I guess leading is showing the guys on and off the field training, goingat a 100% and speaking to the guys about knowledge of the game,” Johnsonsaid. “I’ve played 30 games and some of the guys coming through now haveonly played a few so I feel it’s my responsibility to speak to those guysabout conditions and the guys we are playing against. Leading the attackout in the middle is going out there and really just doing the things I dobest. I try to break those partnerships and that is one of the big thingsI try and do and just enjoy my cricket.”You’ve had guys like Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee and guys in the pastthat have talked in the past about being at their peak around 27, 28 and29. I feel like I’m starting to know my game a hell of a lot better thanin the past.”Johnson’s had good support through the summer from Doug Bollinger andPeter Siddle, even if Siddle hasn’t been rewarded for all his spells witha proportionate number of wickets. It is not, says Johnson, a majorconcern.”Sid’s not too fussed at the moment,” he said. “He hasn’t spoken about ittoo much. He’s still pretty pumped up and he’s doing a great job for us.He might not be getting rewards but he is still a big part of the side,tying down ends or being aggressive. He’s still doing a great job for us.Doug brings a lot of energy to the side and he is great to have around.”