Johnson: South Africans are predictable
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has engaged in a bit of mental sparring with South Africa ahead of the tri-series final, opining that the Proteas are predictable and set in their ways.
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has engaged in a bit of mental sparring with South Africa ahead of the tri-series final, opining that the Proteas are predictable and set in their ways.
The Proteas joined the Aussies in the Harare finale by beating Zimbabwe on Thursday, having lost to Oz in their previous game. But, The Aussies lost to the Proteas too, failing to defend a score of 327 earlier in the tournament.
But Johnson still feels the South Africans are set in their ways and will play to their usual formula, and he hopes his side can give them a shake up and remove them from their comfort zone on Saturday.
Johnson said: "We know what they're like and they're pretty structured in their ways. They like to play a certain way and they do it most times. It gets brought up in most meetings that we have, that they have that structure.
"We know when they're going to bowl in their power plays. They are very structured in the way that they do everything so we're trying to prepare ourselves as much as possible to how we want to perform.
"We're ready to adapt to any conditions and we've done that in the past. We go out there and play our own game."
George Bailey, captain in place of the injured Michael Clarke, agreed: "They've been pretty consistent … for the most part it's probably worked.
"If we play well hopefully that puts pressure on them to do something different."
Bailey also said it helped to have someone like Johnson in the side to rattle the Proteas a bit, especially after he sent down a delivery that fractured Ryan McLaren's arm and ruled him out of the final.
He said of MiJo: "It's unfortunate when blokes get injured but it's a great weapon up our sleeve.
"No doubt you can feel that on the field and it makes it easier as a fielding group to get energetic and buzz about when he's got batsmen hopping about."
Latest
-
NewsDaring declaration sets up thrilling final day of Test action in Rawalpindi
Pakistan need 263 more runs to defeat England, with eight wickets remaining.
-
NewsPakistan need 343 runs to win first Test after England declaration
The tourists scored quick runs on day four at Rawalpindi.
-
NewsEngland debutant Will Jacks claims maiden Test five-for against Pakistan
England picked up where they left off the night before, picking up the remaining three wickets in the first hour-and-half of play.
-
NewsWill Jacks: Wicket of Babar Azam could be a game-changing moment for England
Jacks finished the day with three for 132 from 32 overs.
-
NewsEngland rewarded for perseverance as late Pakistan wickets offer hope of victory
The hosts slid to 499 for seven at the end of day three in Rawalpindi, with England leading by 158 runs.
-
NewsThe Hundred would cost ‘a few billion’ – ECB chair Richard Thompson
Reports last month suggested private equity company Bridgepoint Group had made a £400million offer for 75 per cent of the tournament.
-
NewsEngland bowlers toil as Babar Azam’s century guides Pakistan to 411 at tea
England made inroads into the Pakistan batting line-up in the morning, with Jack Leach taking two wickets, but there was little on offer after lunch.
-
NewsFormer Australia captain Ricky Ponting ‘feeling great’ after heart scare
The 47-year-old was taken to hospital in Perth after feeling unwell while working as a television pundit on Friday.
-
NewsEngland make inroads as Pakistan reach 298 for three at lunch
The hosts went into the break well behind England’s impressive first-innings total of 657.
-
NewsIt’s a special place – England’s Kate Cross looking forward to West Indies tour
The seamer made her international bow in Barbados in 2013.