Walsh backs ‘re-energised’ Johnson to fly in Perth Test
December 12th, 2010 - 2:34 pm ICT by ANISydney, Dec 12(ANI): Former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh reckons that struggling Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson will be facing a “critical” Test match in Perth.
Johnson, who was axed by the selectors after he finished the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane wicketless, has been included in the 12-man squad for the third Ashes Test, starting on Thursday.
“What I find difficult to understand is that when I first saw Mitchell Johnson bowl I was very very impressed. But since then I don’t think his game has improved as much as I anticipated,” the Age quoted Walsh, as saying.
“Maybe my expectations of him were too high, but he hasn’t gone forward as much or as quickly as I would have thought.”
“To be honest, I hoped for a little bit more from him. I do think he’s got something special in him, and now, it’s a matter of getting it out and onto the ground,” he added.
Walsh further believes that the Australian selectors had done the right thing by dumping Johnson for the Brisbane Test.
The 29-year-old has since been working with mentor Troy Cooley in Perth to raise his arm action and rediscover his lethal in-swinger.
“To be left out of the side [for the second Test] might have been the tonic he needed to re-energise himself and come back again. I think it’s going to be critical to watch the way he performs in this upcoming Test,” Walsh said.
Australia is currently 0-1 down in the five-match series after losing the second Test in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs. (ANI)
- Nielsen backs 'refitted' Johnson to be Oz Ashes saviour - Dec 10, 2010
- Oz selectors recalled Johnson after running out of options: Chappell - Dec 13, 2010
- Johnson must 'conquer himself first' to be England Ashes 'conqueror': Roebuck - Dec 11, 2010
- Footage of 2009 South Africa series 're-energised' Johnson to fly in Perth Test - Dec 18, 2010
- Ponting confirms 'poor form' behind Johnson's axing for second Ashes Test - Dec 02, 2010
- Out of form Johnson dropped from second Ashes Test - Dec 02, 2010
- Troy Cooley's Test exit has Oz spearhead Johnson worried - Oct 23, 2010
- Hodge slams Oz selectors for picking 'out-of-form' Johnson for Perth Test - Dec 14, 2010
- Ashes: Ex-selector Hughes says Johnson should not be dropped - Dec 01, 2010
- Mark Waugh says teams have worked out "one-dimensional" Johnson - Nov 30, 2010
- Brett Lee asks dumped Johnson to trust his abilities - Dec 05, 2010
- Johnson dropped from Australian XI for second Ashes Test? - Dec 01, 2010
- Johnson hopes urgent correction to technique will help recall cause - Dec 03, 2010
- Thomson backs four-pronged pace for Melbourne Ashes Test - Dec 23, 2010
- 'New approaches helping Australian team' - Jul 14, 2011
Tags: adelaide, arm action, ashes test, australian selectors, brisbane, courtney walsh, critical test, fly, little bit, man squad, mentor, mitchell johnson, perth, second test, swinger, sydney, test match, tonic, troy cooley, west indies