Johnson: Clarke working on Broad problem

Cricket365
November 21, 2013

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson says skipper Michael Clarke has been working hard on his tendency to fall to England paceman Stuart Broad, and would keep plugging away.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson says skipper Michael Clarke has been working hard on his tendency to fall to England paceman Stuart Broad, and would keep plugging away despite again being bagged by the blonde in Brisbane.

Clarke was dismissed by the Nottinghamshire fast bowler six times in his last eight knocks against England, including on day one of the first Ashes Test, where he fell into the short ball trap and was out for three.

But Johnson, who made 64 himself before being bowled by Broad, who recorded a five-fer, insisted Pup would figure the situation out soon, and was hard at work in training to avoid it in future.

Johnson said of Clarke's woes, at the close of day one at the 'Gabba: "That's a plan England have to him and it's something that Michael needs to keep working on

"You look at the field England set to him (a short leg, a leg gully and other close catchers). You always want your captain to stand up and be the one to score runs but he won't always be able to do it, and we've got good experience in the side.

"I'm sure he will get more short stuff but I've seen him play the short stuff pretty well as well, just that today the plan came off. He has been working really hard in the nets."

As for the bowler in question, he was quick to praise the Aussie skipper, pointing out his incredible batting record, but also said he was delighted that a specific plan to catch him out had worked so well, repeatedly.

Broad said: "He's their star man, averages over 50 in Test cricket so we know what a big player he is for them so I think you always have specific plans for their best players.

"To get two short legs in to get him caught short leg was awesome, because we have our bowling meetings and that's exactly how we wanted it to go.

"For the plan to work it gives the whole team a whole lift but as a bowler to execute it when you've said you would is brilliant. We know what a world-class player he is so to get him cheaply in the first innings of the first Test means a lot to the team."