Speed demon Johnson 'just warming up' for more carnage
Aussie bowling coach Craig McDermott warns two-test hero will take it to another level
Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott had a chilling warning for England on Tuesday – Mitchell Johnson can go even faster on his home ground in Perth.
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.
I’m sure they think about it a fair bit. A bloke coming at you at 150km/h or 155km/h, with a slinging action, is not a lot of fun let me tell you
If Australia win the third test starting in Perth on Friday, they will reclaim the Ashes they lost in 2009 with Johnson tipped to take it to another level at a ground where he has claimed 36 wickets at an average of under 20.
The imposing quick, who already has 17 wickets in this series at 12.70, has bowled at speeds above 150km/h and playing in his home test should provide even more pace, McDermott said.
“I’d like to see . . . at his home ground, being in front of his adopted state, Western Australia, what the adrenaline does to his pace,” McDermott said.
“Not forgetting that it’s not all about speed. It’s about making sure that the ball is in the right spot and that is what Mitchell has done since his return to international cricket, both in the shorter form and in test match cricket.
“He has been able to bowl good line or length, mixed up with some very good short-pitched bowling.”