Adelaide: Australia coach Darren Lehmann says his challenge is to keep man of the moment Mitchell Johnson on the boil with the team on the brink of wresting the Ashes from England’s grasp.
The fearsome left-arm paceman grabbed his second consecutive man-of-the-match award after a thumping win in Adelaide on Monday as the home side took a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series.
If Australia win the third Test starting in Perth on Friday, they will reclaim the Ashes they lost in 2009 and Johnson will be raring to go at a ground where he has claimed 36 wickets at an average of under 20.
Johnson already has 17 wickets in this series at 12.70 and is on top of his game as he bids to bowl Australia to a series-clinching victory at a ground where they have won their past six Tests against England.
Lehmann, who has helped mastermind Australia’s turnaround after their 3-0 series loss in England earlier this year, said the task was to keep the 32-year-old firing on all cylinders.
“He’s been impressive. He’s confident. Our challenge is to keep him going and bowling that way. It’s exciting for Test match cricket,” Lehmann said.
“It’s exciting to see bowlers bowl fast, or spinners turn it square. You’ve got to adapt and improve your technique. It’s always exciting to see guys bowl at those speeds.
“When a bowler is bowling at 150 kph (93 miles per hour) it’s not easy. When I was playing, 150 kph would get me out every time. Simple fact of life, it’s tough work.”
With momentum on their side, Lehmann wants his team to keep on doing what they’ve been doing in Perth.
“They’re pretty driven this lot. I’m really pleased with what they’re bringing to the table and how they’ve gone about it in the last few Test matches,” he said.
“Obviously changed a few things in England and they’ve been really good. They’re trying to get the right goal for Australian cricket. That’s not just the short-term, that’s long-term.” (AFP)