Brisbane: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson today said he has batsman Jonathan Trott and England’s travelling Barmy Army fans in his sights in the Ashes series starting Thursday.
The last time England were in Australia in 2010-11, Trott and the England top order took Johnson apart on the field, while the Barmy Army tormented him from the stands at every opportunity.
It was a double act which threatened Johnson’s future in Test cricket.
But with a new-found mental fortitude attributed to fatherhood and an improved bowling action engineered by Australia pace great Dennis Lillee, Johnson believes he is back in business.
If the Barmy Army engage in their usual raucous behaviour in the first Test at the Gabba, the left-arm paceman said he will give it right back.
“I copped a bit of stick there and I just gave it back to them when it was the right time,” Johnson told reporters.
“In the end, if I’m getting wickets and playing well, I don’t think I’m going to cop as much. If I do, I’ve heard it all, experienced it all and I’ve learnt how to block it out.
“If you get a bit of banter back, they do appreciate it. It just depends on what you do back to them. I did rile them in Birmingham (during the one-day series this year). I kissed my badge, that got them going, but they appreciated it as well that I was getting involved.
“I’m not sure what they’ve got for me this time.”
Johnson said he is looking forward to bowling to England number three Trott during the five-Test series.
“There’s a lot of talk about it, within the group and outside, so I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Johnson said. “During the one-day series (in England) we saw that he didn’t like it, and during that Test series as soon as (fellow Australia paceman) Ryan Harris got up them a bit, he didn’t handle it too well.
“We all know he’s been practising it. They’ve flown over two left-armers (to bowl at him in the nets). “At the right times, intimidation’s going to be important … maybe we go really hard at him for a certain time.” (AFP)