Lee: Johnson should have played in Ashes

Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee wishes the selectors had picked a few more express pace bowlers during the Ashes, saying someone like Mitchell Johnson would have been effective against England.
Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee wishes the selectors had picked a few more express pace bowlers during the Ashes, saying someone like Mitchell Johnson would have been effective against England.
England won the Ashes three-nil, with two draws, and while Lee thought the Aussie bowlers did quite well, he though they could have done with a bit more variety. While Ryan Harris was superb, and Peter Siddle too, none were of Lee or Johnson's pace.
Lee told the Cricket Australia website: "Its obviously been a disappointing series for the Australians, I think pace-wise we've done pretty well.
"The only negative thing you can probably draw upon, and listening to the commentary team over there, was that Australia chose all the same type of bowler.
"I want to see a Pat Cummins come in, I want to see Mitchell Johnson back."
Johnson, who has played 51 Tests for the Baggy green, last played a five-day game in March, against India in Delhi. He then went on to play for the Mumbai Indians, performing superbly, before joining up with Australia in the Champions Trophy.
Lee added of his former team-mate: "I was surprised that Mitchell Johnson didn't get the opportunity and that's nothing against the guys that went over, they all warranted their spot.
"Get some pace in, get some pace back in the Australian team. Get some sort of fear factor going. 130 kms seam up is good. You need that."
Lee was then asked whether he thought T20s were ruining Test cricket, and he said he felt the opposite of most, and thought some T20 players were actually becoming better at the longest format.
He said: "I'll go the other way and say it's actually improved Test cricket. It gave a guy like Steve Smith, the opportunity through the Indian Premier League to put his name back up in lights.
"He went on the path where he was sliding down that slippery pole there for a while, went over to the Indian Premier League and had a cracker of a season.
"Then he's back playing for the Australian cricket team and he's back playing Test cricket and scoring a beautiful hundred."
Latest
-
News
Sri 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.
-
News
Jack 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.
-
News
Joe 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.
-
News
England 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.
-
News
Captain 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.
-
News
Sri 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.
-
News
Nine 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.
-
News
Labuschagne 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.
-
News
Joe 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.
-
News
Joe 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.