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Mitch Johnson slams day-night Ashes Test

Former Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson says he was disappointed to see next summer's Ashes Test against England in Adelaide will be a day-night fixture.

Former Australian Test bowler Mitchell Johnson
Paceman Mitchell Johnson has panned the decision to fixture a day-night Ashes clash next summer. (AAP)

Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson has panned the decision to fixture a day-night Ashes clash next summer, saying it's just not Test cricket.

Cricket Australia will stage the first ever day-night Ashes Test when arch enemies England and Australia lock horns at Adelaide Oval next December.

Day-night Tests have been a raging success since being introduced last year, with big crowds and increased TV ratings helping cement the future of pink-ball cricket.

But Johnson isn't a fan of the concept, and he was especially annoyed it's now been introduced into an Ashes series - the pinnacle of Test cricket for any Australian.

"I'm not really happy about it. I just don't think it's Test cricket," Johnson said.

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"It's a totally different game altogether. They change the wickets.

"Adelaide Oval in Test match cricket never has grass on it. But the two day-night Test matches that have been played there, there's been lots of grass on it.

"As a bowler, I should be happy about it. Because it definitely brings bowlers into it.

"But to me, it's a change of a game. And I think it changes stats as well. So I just don't like it."

Johnson said he understood CA was trying to make the game more exciting and lure more fans to the sport by playing more day-night Test matches.

But he said the huge hype surrounding the Ashes meant it didn't need a day-night fixture.

Johnson retired on the eve of the first ever day-night Test match last summer.

It's a decision he doesn't regret.

"I wanted to finish playing Test match cricket," Johnson said in a none-too-subtle dig at the day-night format.

Johnson will have the chance to vent some of his frustrations when he makes his Big Bash League debut this summer.

The 35-year-old will front up for the Perth Scorchers, and he's confident he still boasts his menacing pace despite only playing a handful of fixtures since his retirement.

Johnson has signed a one-year deal with the Scorchers, but he remains open to playing on beyond this season if he performs well.

"It depends how I go. If I get smacked around and I pull up really sore and I'm not enjoying it, then I won't play," Johnson said.

"But if I enjoy it, you never know, it could be an option in the next couple of years."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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