Cricket: Johnson fired up for Ashes opener

By Ian McCullough

AAP·

7 Jul, 2015 05:00 PM4 mins to read

Mitchell Johnson. Photo / AP

Teammates bear brunt as Aussie quick prepares another battering for bullied English batsmen

Eighteen months after battering the confidence of English batsmen, Mitchell Johnson has been fine-tuning his preparations for tomorrow's Ashes opener in Cardiff by peppering his Australian teammates in the nets.

The left-arm quick was the destroyer-in-chief in the 2013-14 series with 37 wickets at 13.97 as Michael Clarke's side regained the urn with a 5-0 whitewash on home soil.

Johnson will let rip against England this week, but he's already been wreaking havoc on members of his own side.

"He's bowling fast and he's swinging them as well which I think is the biggest thing for Mitch," Adam Voges said. "You saw him hit Shaun [Marsh] on the hand. Steve Smith ended up on his backside behind the stumps at one stage.

"He's as ready to go as he possibly can be. I'm sure he's going to play a huge part in this series."

Australia's bowling coach Craig McDermott believes Johnson has tapered his preparations perfectly for the Ashes following a relatively quiet recent series against the West Indies.

"Jonno's arm path has got a bit better over here, a bit higher and he's got his seam in a better position, and he's just got a real spring in his step at the minute."

Meanwhile, Jimmy Anderson only has good memories of the 2009 Ashes opener.

England's last-wicket pair of Anderson and Monty Panesar batted for 40 minutes and 69 balls to hold on for a draw in Cardiff.

"I remember there was very little expectation on myself and Monty and we just tried to do as best we could by wasting time and using all the tactics we could to escape," he said. England went on to win the series 2-1.

"It was a painful test match," Brad Haddin said of the first test held at Sophia Gardens. "We thought we got ourselves into a position that we deserved that win, but as you see in Ashes campaigns - they're never over. It's different cricket and it brings out a lot of different emotions, and some odd batting talent that I didn't think Monty Panesar had."

Shane Watson suggested the gutting defeat sapped his side's momentum leading into the second test in London, where England had their first Lord's victory over Australia since 1934.

Ashes schedule

First test: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (July 8-12)

Second test: Lord's, London (July 16-20)

Third test: Edgbaston, Birmingham (July 29-Aug 2)

Fourth test: Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Aug 6-10)

Fifth test: The Oval, London (Aug 20-24)

Three key contests

Mitchell Johnson v Adam Lyth and Alastair Cook
Jonathan Trott was to open this series but his retirement made way for Lyth. The 27-year-old made a century in his second test, while Cook also scored runs against NZ. Can they see more of the new ball or will Johnson wreak more havoc?

Ben Stokes v Shane Watson or Mitch Marsh
The value of a game-breaking allrounder who can turn a test with bat or ball was well highlighted by Andrew Flintoff's heroics in the 2005 series. The combative Stokes will draw confidence from the fact his maiden test ton came in Perth, while Watson and Marsh are locked in a selection battle.

Nathan Lyon v potentially seven left-handers
Lyon has already stated he can't wait to attack the hosts' mollydookers. The offspinner has improved significantly since the 2013 series and looms as a point of difference. The hosts are expected to back allrounder Moeen Ali to perform their spin duties instead of using a frontline tweaker.

Overall results

• Australia have won 32 series, England 31 with one drawn
• Australia have won 138 tests, England 105 with 93 draws
• Don Bradman has the most Ashes runs with 5028 at an average of 89.78
• Shane Warne has the most Ashes wickets with 195 at an average of 23.25.