Johnson returns for tri-series final in Perth
Australia will have fast bowler Mitchell Johnson back in the side for the tri-series final in Perth on Sunday, and he is ready to go after taking a valuable break for most of the series.
Johnson did not play in this tri-series as he was resting after the India Tests. He didn't play in the fourth Test either, citing a small hamstring niggle, and the management opted to rest him for the whole of January.
Johnson said: "I needed a fair bit of a rest. I think it'd probably been a big 12 months personally, but for all the bowlers as well. The UAE was quite tough.
"We bowled a lot of overs there and then coming into Australia the wickets were a little bit flatter than we expected. There were a lot of runs scored through the Test series. The body now is fully recovered and ready to go.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I'm feeling rested. I don't have any soreness there anymore, so I'm feeling pretty good. It'll be nice to play on a nice fast, bouncy wicket again.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there. I know the South African series we played there, the wicket just got quicker and quicker. I'm really looking forward to playing on a nice wicket."
In Johnson absence, Mitchell Starc has been doing a sterling job with the ball and taking plenty of wickets in the series, and Johnson has not been surprised by that. He is looking forward to bowling in tandem on Sunday.
The paceman added of his namesake's success: "He's been doing that for a while in the shorter forms. I've been really impressed with him.
"Earlier in the IPL he was doing it there and he's just continued his form. He's really comfortable with his bowling in one-day cricket. He swings the ball and bowls fast.
"I'm really looking forward to getting out there again and bowling and working with him. I think we bowl well together in the short form and hopefully we can bowl well together at the WACA. There's actually three left-armers but two opening bowlers.
"It's really exciting for me. You don't often see it but it's really nice to be able to work with him. He's young, he's aggressive and he loves bowling. I'm looking forward to that."
Latest
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day Three: Joe Root at the double but Sri Lanka show grit
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
NewsJack Leach admits there is room for improvement as Sri Lanka frustrate England
Leach and Sam Curran struck for the tourists in the hosts’ second innings.
-
NewsJoe Root’s double century keeps England in command despite rally from Sri Lanka
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
NewsEngland captain Joe Root reaches fine double century before Sri Lanka fight back
Root was the last man out for England after scoring 228 to record a fourth double ton for his country.
-
NewsCaptain Joe Root completes fine double century as England build formidable lead
Root became only the fifth England player to score a Test double hundred in Asia.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
NewsNine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.
-
NewsLabuschagne upset after not scoring ‘big’ hundred
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne might have been the star of the show on the first day of the fourth Test against India.
-
NewsJoe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.
-
NewsJoe Root century strengthens England’s grip on first Test against Sri Lanka
Dan Lawrence hits 73 on debut as England reach 320 for four at tea, a lead of 185.