Johnson set to snare 300th Test scalp

Mitchell Johnson's express pace and leadership have been praised by Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann, with the left-armer set to take his 300th Test wicket.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson's express pace and leadership have been praised ahead of his 300th Test wicket. (AAP)

One of Australian cricket's most elite clubs will welcome another member this week, with Mitchell Johnson set to bag his 300th Test wicket.

It's testament to the way Johnson has resurrected a career that looked to be over when he suffered a severe toe injury in 2011 and fell out of love with the game.

Johnson, who sits on 299 Test victims as he prepares to tackle England in the third Ashes Test, remains Australia's strike weapon.

"He's bowling as well as I've seen throughout his career," Michael Clarke said.

In addition to generating fear and eliciting rash strokes, the left-armer has transformed from shy tearaway into genuine leader.

Ryan Harris' retirement makes Johnson the veteran among a youthful pace attack.

It's a role the left-armer has grown into since being recalled for the 2013-14 Ashes series, which he dominated with 37 wickets.

Johnson, who will become the fifth Australian to break the 300-wicket mark, leads by example on the park and off it.

"I've been lucky enough to play with some really fit quicks - you think of Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Glenn McGrath," Clarke said.

"These guys worked exceptionally hard in the gym to stay healthy and Mitch is as fit, if not fitter, than those blokes put together.

"He trains really hard.

"Hence why he's been able to play for such a long period of time, have consistent success and bowl at that pace over that period as well."

Coach Darren Lehmann is also full of praise for the guidance and support that Johnson has delivered for teammates Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

"He's got his mojo back and he's exciting. He's also really good with the young players and leads from the front in everything he does," Lehmann told the Daily Mail.

England have done their best to talk down the threat of Johnson during the past week.

Moeen Ali opined that Johnson "bowled really well in one innings out of four" in the current series, while Stuart Broad suggested he isn't bowling as well as 2013-14.

Joe Root pointed to Johnson's match figures of 2-180 in the first Test as prove his side can negate Johnson's unique mix of express pace, swing and bounce.

"It's not that we can't do it. We've proven that we can this series," Root declared.

Clarke wasn't interested in engaging in a war of words.

"I'm not keen to talk too much about it until the end of the series," he said.

"Let's see how things play out."

AUSTRALIA'S 300-WICKET CLUB

Shane Warne - 708

Glenn McGrath - 563

Dennis Lillee - 355

Brett Lee - 310


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world