Williamson ‘surprised’ Johnson at the Gabba
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson admits that he was 'surprised' by how well New Zealand's Kane Williamson batted in the first Test in Brisbane which the Aussies won by 208 runs.
The 25 year-old Williamson scored 140 and 59 but could not prevent the Black Caps from falling to a heavy defeat in the first game of the three-match Test series.
Left-arm paceman Johnson said the Aussies will now pay a bit more attention on the right-hander ahead of the second Test in Perth, starting on Friday.
Johnson said on Wednesday: "It is a bit of a surprise to me the way he played – I hadn't seen a lot of him. "I knew about him [but] I didn't realise what a good player he is.
"He can play all of the shots. He looked good in defence and I am really looking forward to playing him out here on a ground that I really enjoy bowling on and really test myself against him.
"He is obviously in very good form and he is going to go into this game with a lot of confidence. We can bowl better to him. If we put some good balls on him and use our short ball, then I think we are going to be in the game a bit more.
"He is definitely one who we will talk about in our team meeting today after training. He is very difficult to bowl to. If we build up enough good balls on him, he is going to be like any other player and nick off."
Latest
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.
-
County Cricket
We’re going to show you – Graham Onions feels Durham are back where they belong
The former England paceman is back as his home county as lead bowling coach as they return to Division One.